Let's become time traveller to travel in Edo Era! 【Part 2】 ~ Time machine rides from Asakusa, 「Rickshaw」 and 「Houseboat」

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    • Kanto
    • Tokyo
  • Categories

    • Recommendations
    • Reviews
    • Japanese culture
  • Update date

    • 2025-01-14

In Tokyo, the history and culture of Edo are still alive.

Following the visits of Edo Castle and Fukagawa in the first part, we're travelling back to Edo Era starting from Asakusa!

Let's enjoy the history and entertainment of Edo in the lap of luxury with rickshaw on the ground and with houseboat on the water.

▲At the stop where the drivers are waiting with greeting boards in various languages, gorgeous rickshaws assemble. When you sit on a red velour chair, your gaze is a little higher and you have a different view than on foot.

Rickshaw runs gallantly through crowded popular tourism spots. It is popular for its retro, upscale appearance, small turnaround and driver's witty guides. They can also tell you about popular sweets and tourist attractions, and if you ask, you can buy and eat (eat and ride?) along the way, like a drive-through.

▲Hisago Shopping Street which goes to Yoshiwara is a shopping street with arcade. The area is dotted with retro cafes, which are fun to stroll around.

Passing in front of Sensoji Temple, on the way from Asakusa Engei Hall to Hanayashiki and Asakusa Kenban, the Rickshaw driver will talk about the history and entertainment of Asakusa. At the memorial photo spots, the Rickshaw stops for a photo. Asakusa Kenban is the geisha's training location for song and dance, so if the timing is good, you may meet geisha. After enjoying Asakusa to the full, head next to the houseboat pier!

▲Matsunoya Hachikou, the youngest of only 6 Houkan (male geisha) in Japan. Tamaaki, Kanae and Komaaki of the Aakusa Karyukai

When you ride on the houseboat from the pier, geisha and houkan welcome you. This time is Odaiba course. It is recommended to call geisha with their names or onehsan. They go around the various tables and talk to you in a very friendly way. A good slightly scent of face powder...

▲Very gorgeous meal with beautiful side dish, tempura and sashimi! Sukiyaki is also available, very satisfying.

Experience the graceful dance of geisha and the art of hospitality of Hachikou right before your eyes, and feel like a feudal lord as you indulge in a sumptuous meal. After anchoring in Tokyo Bay and enjoying the night view from the boat, the party gets into the swing of things with a traditional Japanese tatami room game. People who meet each other for the first time seem to enjoy each other's company very much with entertainments by professionals of traditional entertainments..

▲While anchored in Tokyo Bay, you can also go outside for a 360-degree view of the sparkling night scenery which can only be seen from a boat.

Houseboat has been started from feudal lords of Edo Era, and common people have also enjoyed it. It has disappeared during the war, but in the period of high economic growth when the fishing was declined, boat keepers have revived it for tourism purpose. Today, they offer new views of Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge, as well as conveying the old Edo style of fun and games.

■Message to foreign visitors to Japan

Rickshow and Houseboats make us enjoy fully the Japanese history and traditional culture. Please ride both time machines to experience Tokyo in old times and nowadays.

■Access

【Rickshow Ebisuya】

https://www.ebisuya.com/en/branch/index.html#branch_kaminarimon

【Houseboat Amitatsu】

https://www.amitatsu.jp/englis...

【Asakusa Kenban】

https://asakusakenban.com/en/