A Guide to Asakusa Hisago-dori: Long-Established Shops and Artisans Under the Arcade

Running about 180 meters north to south from Asakusa Rokku to Kototoi-dori, the Asakusa Hisago-dori shopping street is home to around 50 shops, from restaurants to long-established specialty stores, lined up under an arcade beyond a large red-and-gold gate. It is just steps from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express.

The origin of the name "Hisago-dori"

The street once formed part of the route from Senso-ji to Yoshiwara, and before the Great Kanto Earthquake it flourished as "Yonekyu-dori" below the Ryounkaku tower (Asakusa Junikai). In 1925, it was named "Hisago-dori" (hisago means gourd) after the gourd-shaped pond, Hyotan-ike, that once lay in nearby Asakusa Park.

After the war it was quick to rebuild, and in 1955 it built a steel retractable arcade, the first officially approved by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In 1992 the arcade and paving were renovated around the concept of "iki" (Edo-style chic), giving the street its current Edo atmosphere.

Eat and drink

• Yonekyu Honten: A long-established sukiyaki restaurant whose name lives on in the street's former name, Yonekyu-dori.
• Fruit Parlor Goto: Opened as a greengrocer in 1946 and added a fruit parlor in 1965. Its seasonal fruit parfaits are popular.
• Tempura Akimitsu: Famous for its "fifth-generation tendon" made with seasonal ingredients.
• Soba-dokoro Koshuya: Known for kamo seiro—cold soba dipped in a hot broth full of chicken.
• Teuchi Soba Asakusa Tsumugi: Soba and udon handmade every morning. Ten-zaru is popular.
• Sushi Nakano: The chef serves toppings sourced that day.
• Mansui: Run by a fish wholesaler, serving fugu sashimi and fried fugu at reasonable prices.
• Shokudokoro Sakedokoro Iioka: Set meals and drinks. Hamburg steak with demi-glace and braised pork belly are favorites.
• Monja Asakichi Main Store: The proprietress's secret-recipe monjayaki, plus okonomiyaki and teppanyaki.
• Asakusa Monja Okonomiyaki Ponchan: Monjayaki with creative menu items and customizable toppings.
• Takoyaki Izakaya taco44.: Soy sauce takoyaki by an Osaka takoyaki chef. Open Fridays to Sundays only.
• Ramen Nisshin: A neighborhood Chinese diner open only on weekends. Try the ramen and fried rice.
• Ramen Menmaru: A ramen shop known for its low prices.
• Jikasei Men NO11 ASAKUSA: A ramen shop with house-made noodles, opened in 2025.
• Seisei Izakaya: An izakaya serving authentic Chinese food such as dim sum and Sichuan dishes.
• TAKEYA: A welcoming izakaya serving home-style dishes.
• groin groin: A meat bistro with Okinawan Agu pork and natural wines.
• FUKUMEN: A Mexican bar serving tacos and premium tequila.
• Cafe Rest'Cuzn Home GRound: A café, restaurant and bar open every day from midday until 5 a.m.
• Coffee Shop Layla: An old-fashioned coffee shop serving flannel-drip coffee and house-made curry.
• COFFEE BAR Sajiki: A café bar on the ground floor of Asakusa Kokono Club, with Wi-Fi and power outlets.
• Soshuya: Japanese and Western sweets, plus popular rice balls.

Artisans and festival goods

True to Asakusa, Hisago-dori has many specialty shops related to festivals and traditional crafts.

• Hanatoh: A lantern specialist founded in 1893, also selling mini lanterns as souvenirs.
• Matsumoto Hakimono-ten: Founded in 1899, selling zori, geta and setta finished in-house.
• Adachiya: A festival wear specialist, from headbands to festival tabi.
• Hantenya: A festival goods shop focusing on original products.
• Kobo Mojizaiku: Makes custom wooden name tags for festivals and phone straps on the same day.
• Ginsen Izumiken: A silverware workshop with hands-on classes for rings and more.

Access

Hisago-dori is in Asakusa 2-chome, Taito-ku, a 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express and about 5 minutes from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tobu Line and Toei Asakusa Line. Opening hours and closing days vary by shop, so check each shop's information before visiting.