讀後心得

Asakusa is a popular tourist destination in Tokyo, blending retro streetscapes with modern architecture, attracting a large number of visitors. Foreigners are amazed by Asakusa's incense burner culture, orderly queuing, and the compact entryways of its facilities. They also particularly appreciate the politeness and service attitude of the Japanese people and find that Asakusa is suitable for visitors of all ages, making it a great place to create wonderful memories.

What to do by the incense burner? Amazing new discoveries in Asakusa, Tokyo that astonish tourists.

Asakusa in Tokyo is a popular tourist area, retaining a retro street style, and for the Japanese, it shows a strong Japanese flavor. The unique charm of Asakusa has touched many foreign tourists who visit; besides positive experiences, there are many unique features that leave people in awe.

This time, we invited tourists from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom to share their surprises and emotions in Asakusa. Let's take a look at what this world-class tourist destination looks like through their eyes! (The content of this article represents the personal opinions of the interviewees.)

• Wherever you go in Asakusa, there are crowds! It's really not easy to get to the attractions!

The most famous attraction in Asakusa is Senso-ji Temple, known for its Kaminarimon Gate, surrounded by many craft shops, food stalls, and trendy cafes, as well as the Japanese amusement park "Asakusa Hanayashiki," with the famous Tokyo landmark "Tokyo Skytree" also located in Asakusa, attracting many travelers. Therefore, the first impression for tourists is always "there are really so many people!"

"As soon as I stepped out of Asakusa Station, I found the crowds overwhelming; no matter which direction I went, there were people everywhere, and I didn't know which way to go. I followed the crowd and unexpectedly ended up in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I couldn't even figure out how I got there. So, I understand why there are so many rickshaws here; after all, it's pretty difficult to explore Asakusa on your own." (Canada / Male)

"There are so many people at the Kaminarimon that it's scary; it's really hard to take a good photo!" (Germany / Male)

• Why does everyone gather beside the incense burner at Senso-ji Temple?

At Senso-ji Temple, it is common to see many people standing beside the incense burner, absorbing the smoke. For me, this was a cultural shock because it was my first time seeing such a scene in a Japanese temple. At first, I found it very incredible and couldn't understand why so many people congregated around the smoke. (United Kingdom / Female)

In Buddhist culture, the smoke from the incense burner, known as "jōkō," is believed to purify body and mind, and bathing in it can remove misfortune and bad luck. Although people often gather around the incense burner in shrines and temples in Japan, for Westerners unfamiliar with Buddhist culture, seeing many people surrounded by smoke creates a remarkable visual impression, which is why it is considered a cultural shock. This behavior is essentially just an expression of faith customs. Foreigners, if willing, can also participate in this experience to enjoy the local culture.

• The disciplined Japanese still follow the rules even when faced with long lines at Asakusa shops.

Apart from cultural differences, the qualities of the locals and the order in the streets often leave a deep impression on foreigners. "The Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa was bustling with people, but everyone stood in line patiently while waiting, which surprised me. I bought some Japanese dango here, and the vendors were very kind and friendly, causing me to accidentally buy more than I intended." (Germany / Male)

In Japan, the concept of "first come, first served" when it comes to queuing is deeply ingrained, and foreigners marvel at this norm each time they see it. Even during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake when affected residents received relief supplies, they still demonstrated an orderly queue, a scene widely reported by media worldwide, leaving the world astonished.

• The entrances to facilities in Asakusa are really inconspicuous! One might accidentally walk past them.

Aside from the people's qualities, various facilities in Asakusa often impress foreigners. "I had previously visited 'Asakusa Hanayashiki,' and because the entrance was so small, I accidentally walked past it. However, the mere existence of an amusement park on a regular street surprised me." (Canada / Male)

Although Asakusa is a well-known tourist destination, many shops close early and rarely operate late into the night, which surprised me. There aren't many cafes where you can leisurely spend your time, so I suggest not making a special trip just for that. (United Kingdom / Female)

• Every shop in Asakusa is super kind.

For us Japanese, the hospitality in the service industry is quite common, but it always leaves a deep impression on foreign tourists. "Japanese people are really kind and polite; the shopkeepers use body language to introduce products, which touched me greatly. I couldn’t help but worry about accidentally doing something inappropriate." (Germany / Male)

In other countries, service attitudes are often related to prices; unless it's a high-end establishment, it’s rare to receive attentive service. However, in Japan, nearly all industries have excellent service attitudes, making such service extremely rare for tourists from advanced countries like Germany. The interviewed German male mentioned that the quality of service was high enough to make him worry about making mistakes, showing how professional the service industry in Asakusa is and leaving a deep impression.

• The blend of modern and traditional in Asakusa is touching.

Many foreigners find the scenery in Asakusa particularly impressive. "When I saw the Tokyo Skytree in Asakusa, I was really moved! I took a photo of the Skytree on the streets of Asakusa; although I couldn't fit the entire tower in the picture because it was too tall, being able to capture both the nostalgic streets of Asakusa and the modern Skytree in a single frame was amazing, and it turned out beautifully." (Canada / Male)

In Asakusa, you can appreciate the nostalgic Japanese streets alongside Tokyo's famous modern landmark, the Skytree; this contrasting scenery is very enchanting for foreigners. The photos taken here are filled with local cultural charm, allowing them to share beautiful travel memories even after returning home.

• In Asakusa, anyone can have a great time!

"Although Asakusa Hanayashiki isn't very large, it has attractions like roller coasters that can entertain both kids and adults. Because it's not very big, you can enjoy all the attractions without spending too much time." (Canada / Male)

"I rode a rickshaw in Asakusa with my friends; the rickshaw puller could pull two adults with just one person’s strength, which was really impressive. The ride was stable and comfortable, and it was a joy to tour Asakusa while enjoying the breeze!" (United Kingdom / Female)

Many foreign tourists have stated that Asakusa is a place where anyone, regardless of age or status, can enjoy themselves, perhaps one of the main reasons why Asakusa has become such a popular tourist destination.

The charm of Asakusa knows no bounds! Many Japanese may not understand why foreigners love Asakusa so much, but it is through their different perspectives that they can further appreciate its enchanting qualities. In the future, Asakusa will surely attract more foreign tourists, and we hope everyone can enjoy the nostalgic street style and wonderful experiences here, creating their own memories!