Asakusabashi is a town located in Taito, Tokyo, and it is well known for selling traditional Japanese dolls. There are many large shops located around the area which specialize in selling these dolls.

Yoshitoku

Yoshitoku doll shop can be found as soon as you exit Asakusabashi station. This shop is very familiar due to its well known ‘Face is the life Yoshitoku’ commercial.

Here they handle the Hina doll, hagoita (lit. ornamental battledores used in a game called hanetsuki, which is similar to badminton) for decorations, samurai dolls, and other stuffed animals. It is felt that the face of these dolls can be seen as beautiful to anyone; no matter what age or gender. This only be done by Yoshitoku-san.

Doll shops

Looking closely around you, there were famous old doll shops everywhere. All of the shops have traditions and were loved by the people in the area. Inside of the shops there are usually many elderly who choose the dolls very seriously; perhaps they are choosing dolls for their grandchildren. It’s very heartwarming, seeing all of these people shopping for dolls.

Different shops have their own sense originality, but the Koushu Hara’s dolls are very unique compared to the other shops. The dolls, which are made using techniques that have been passed down over time, have inherited intangible aspects of Japan’s cultural heritage. These dolls have smooth, bright white skin and cute round faces adorned with sweet expressions that are unique to the maker.

There are many doll shops. It may be fun to also go around the shops to compare and see the differences in each doll.

Paulo Catholic Asakusa Church

The Paulo Catholic Asakusa church is located about 10 minutes, by walking, from the station.
This church has a lot of visitors in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Asakusabashi has a lot of traditional things from the past, and this too has a lot of history; it is the 2nd church to have been built within Tokyo. The religious activities of this church go all the way back to the Edo period.

Christmas decorations at the church

At Christmas time the church was fully decorated, adding an extra special feeling to the area. On a sunny day it is fun to walk around the church and look at the stained glass and garden.

Lucite Gallery

Continuing on from the church, you can reach the Lucite Gallery within five minutes. The Lucite Gallery is a shop which handles antique pottery, and other handmade goods that are in the owner’s collection.

The gallery also offers a lacquer class and a tea ceremony class.

Entrance

At one glance it looks like a house, but there is a gallery entrance which has a very beautiful look.

The Lucite Gallery was built with the desire to preserve the traditional Japanese culture which is believed to be disappearing with each generation.

Entrance to Le Gouter

The Le Gouter is a western confectionary shop. It is open only two days a week, Thursday and Friday, and at times all of the goods sold in the shop can run out before closing. There are mainly confectionary classes held here, and former students have gone on to open their own cake shops after taking these classes.

The entrance is small and easy to miss, but even when the weather is cold customers can still be seen lining up to buy confectionaries. One of the shops popular items is cream puffs. These usually sell out quickly. It is highly recommended to get in line early so you can buy these cream puffs and enjoy the special center; shipped cream and custard mixed together.

Mizu-Shinsakan yakisoba and kantomen

Nearby Le Gouter there is a Chinese restaurant called Mizu-Shinsakan. During lunch time it is very crowded, and usually has a long line. If you come out of Asakusabashi and turn left, you can find it if you walk straight for a few minutes.

Russianty

Entrance to

Stuffed bear

Russianty is a specialty shop that handles Russian goods. Inside the shop there were stuffed animals from the Old Russian stuffed animal company Rostof Stuffed Animal Factory, Matryoshkas dolls, and other famous Russian goods.

Matryoshka dolls

Recently in Japan Matryoshka dolls and doll motif goods have become popular. Compared to the Matryoshka doll designs that are popular in Japan, the Russian dolls are actually quite a bit different. The dolls are very colorful and they can give any room a brighter atmosphere.

Untraditional Matryoshka dolls.

There are also quite a few Matryoshka dolls that have been created with humorous designs. Some Matryoshka dolls portray historical or political figures, and others are seasonal. Near Christmas there are even Santa themed Matryoshka dolls.

The store also carries goods other than Matryoshka dolls, and it is fun to explore the shop while looking at unique Russian items.

When exploring Asakusabashi there are many things that can be found. If you wander around with a clear destination you are sure to find something interesting, so please, enjoy Asakusabashi and the unique atmosphere it has to offer.