Japan Guide Star · Asakusa
Japan Guide Star runs a two-hour walk from the Kaminarimon police box through Nakamise to the main hall, then into the back streets for sweets, a supermarket and a famous knife shop. It is the cheapest guided walk at Senso-ji, and the reviews read like those of tours that cost twice as much.
Japan Guide Star has 1,015 reviews and a 5.0 rating on this walk. The guide holds a "Guide Star" sign at the Kaminarimon police box, 1-3-1 Asakusa, on the street just off the gate. The listing's timings are honest: about 40 minutes on Nakamise and about 20 minutes at the main hall and Yogodo, the small hall where the temple's seal stamps are given.
After the temple, the route heads into the streets most visitors skip: Nishisando, Hoppy Street and Denboin-dori, a stop at Kaminari Issa, the Ozeki supermarket, and Kaneso, a knife shop. Guests say they tried several sweets on the way and got restaurant names for later. Tastings are bought along the way; the listing includes only the guide.
The catch is the group size. The listing allows up to 30 people, against 12 on the Localized walking tour. Most reviews describe small groups anyway, but on a busy weekend you may share the guide with many others. The temple is free, so the $13 is purely for the guide.
Look for the guide with the "Guide Star" sign at 1-3-1 Asakusa, beside Kaminarimon.
The gate, then the shopping street with its snack and souvenir stalls, with sweets to try.
The main hall, the incense burner, prayer etiquette and the hall where seal stamps are given.
Nishisando, Hoppy Street, Denboin-dori and Kaminari Issa, with photo stops.
The Ozeki supermarket and Kaneso knife shop, then restaurant tips.
★★★★★We had a really nice Tour with Keisuke. He shared a lot of insights about the Temples and showed us how to pray correctly. He also showed us famous Japanese Sweets and we could try it at the different stores.
★★★★★We had visited Sensō-ji Temple on our own the day before, but experiencing it with Keisuke made it so much better and more meaningful.
★★★★★He pointed out a lot of fun options and suggestions along the way for us to peruse afterwards. He was also a good photographer for us, pointing out certain spots to not miss. Good value for the money and recommended.
★★★★★Aki our tour guide was very good at relating the history of the temple and shrine. She explained the proper ways to do the prayers for the shrine and temple. Our family love her!
Read next:
The reviews say yes: 5.0 from 1,015 guests, with guides praised by name. The trade-off is a group of up to 30. Read our guide to whether a walking tour is worth it.
About 20 minutes at the main hall and Yogodo, plus about 40 minutes on Nakamise. The full tour is two hours.
At the Kaminarimon police box, 1-3-1 Asakusa. The guide holds a sign that says "Guide Star".
No, only the guide. You buy the sweets you want to try along the way.
Ready to book
The cheapest guided walk in Asakusa: two hours of temple stories, prayer etiquette and Nakamise sweets.
Senso-ji & Old Tokyo Walking TourTwo hours with a local guide from Kaminarimon to Asakusa Shrine and Hoppy Street, in a group of 12 at most.★ 4.9 · 2 hours · from $30
Asakusa Street Food Crawl, 7+ BitesSeven or more local bites in the lanes around Kaminarimon, enough for lunch, then Senso-ji at the end.★ 5.0 · 2 hours · from $74
Asakusa Food Tour: 12 Dishes at Local EateriesTwelve dishes at local eateries, with sake tasting, taiyaki and monja you cook yourself, in two and a half hours.★ 4.9 · 2.5 hours · from $73