Ebisuya · Asakusa
A puller from Ebisuya, whose stand sits by Asakusa Station, runs you through the old streets around Senso-ji, stopping for stories and photos. It suits anyone who wants the neighbourhood explained without walking it, and the longer rides reach small shrines across the river that few visitors find.
Ebisuya has 1,424 reviews on Viator and a perfect 5.0. The puller is also your guide and photographer: almost every review mentions the photos. The ride is private, so it's only you and your companion in the cart, and you tell the puller what you want to see before you set off.
Read the price carefully. The $39 from-price is per person for the 30-minute option, and a rickshaw takes at most two adults, so a couple pays about $78. Longer options on the listing cost about $57 per person for 45 minutes, $85 for 70, $107 for 90 and $139 for 120, with a 180-minute ride as well. At the stand itself Ebisuya starts at 5,000 yen per rickshaw for two adults (Go Tokyo), for a ride of about 12 minutes. Booking ahead buys certainty: the listing warns that an English-speaking puller may not be free on the day.
One thing surprises people. Rickshaws are not allowed inside the Senso-ji grounds or on Nakamise, so you ride past Kaminarimon, Nitemmon and the Denboin side of the temple, not up to the main hall. The 30-minute ride is mostly the streets around the temple. Longer rides add Sumida Park, Ushijima Shrine, Imado Shrine and Matsuchiyama Shoden, and guests report stepping down to walk into the shrines. Visit Senso-ji itself on foot, before or after.
Take exit 1 of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station (not exit A1) and look for the stand marked EBISUYA. Other companies park nearby.
Tell the puller what interests you: temples, old shops, the river or the Skytree view.
Kaminarimon, Denboin-dori, Nitemmon and the lanes around Senso-ji, with stops for photos. No riding inside the grounds.
Sumida Park, Ushijima Shrine, Imado Shrine and Matsuchiyama Shoden, where you step down and walk in with the puller.
Back at the stand or a nearby spot you choose. Dropping off elsewhere can cost extra, paid on the day.
★★★★★Made a reservation ahead of time and they were waiting with a big sign with my name on it and big smiles. My husband and I are not small people but we fit in the rickshaw.
★★★★★It was a great way to spend our first morning in Japan. It helped us to orientate ourselves as well as see a number of places that we may not had planned on seeing.
★★★★★Best way to see Asakusa and save your feet! Guide was fresh and fun and took photos with enthusiasm.
★★★★★We scheduled a 90 minute and that was great- maybe would have done 60 min but 90 worked fine if 60 min. not available. We visited a shrine and a temple where we got out and went to the structures [...]
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On Viator, Ebisuya's 30-minute ride costs about $39 per person, so about $78 for two adults. At the stand, Ebisuya starts at 5,000 yen per rickshaw for two on a short loop. Our rickshaw price guide compares the options.
No. The listing says rickshaws are not allowed in the temple buildings, the grounds or on Nakamise. You ride past the gates and walk the temple on foot.
Two adults at most. Up to two children aged 5 and under can ride free on the adults' laps. A child using a seat pays the adult price.
Outside exit 1 of Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, at the stand marked EBISUYA. Exit A1 is a different exit on another line.
Ready to book
A puller-guide runs you through old Asakusa and takes your photos. From 30 minutes, two adults per rickshaw.
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