9009397663?profile=originalShopping/Dining/Accommodations Venue below the elevated train tracks from Asakusa to Skytree - rendering

*New Major Commercial Facility / Cultural Shopping and Dining Venue Complex to open in 2020 under the elevated railway tracks will connect Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree

*Shitamachi Wonderland Plan to create a vibrant, evolving district rooted in Japan’s traditional culture, providing experiences of authentic craftsmanship, interactive opportunities with locals, and superb souvenir shopping

mainvisual_01.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710xTokyo Skytree and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN aerial view


Tokyo’s historic downtown or Shitamachi region is renowned for its bohemian residents and traditional craft culture.  This region includes the popular Asakusa area – near Sensoji Temple in Taito-ward and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN – featuring Tokyo Skytree (http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/) the tallest free-standing structure in the world – in Sumida-ward. These two wards, separated by the Sumida River, remain unique bastions for experiencing the authentic culture of Tokyo’s working-class people during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868). 9009397696?profile=originalMulti-use and shopping venue beneath elevated train, beside Sumida River and Park, rendering

 

A New Shopping/Dining/Accommodations Venue and Pedestrian Bridge Link Taito and Sumida Wards 

With the anticipation of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic games coming to Tokyo, there is much infrastructure enhancement. Here in Shitamachi, a new commercial facility/shopping venue complex will be built under the elevated railway tracks in time for the mega games.  The complex (http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pdf/20190704.pdf) will sport restaurants, boutiques, an array of entertainment options, and even accommodations.9009398879?profile=original

Wise Owl Hostel, one of several accommodations to be included in the under-train multi-use and shopping venue, rendering

These venues will also be serviced by a new pedestrian bridge that will link Asakusa and the TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN across the Sumida River, improving access between these two districts. As is common in Japan, here, metropolitan development takes advantage of the land under elevated railway tracks to create specialty locations rooted in the urban landscape.  This complex will provide a new eye on the attractions of Shitamachi. They will now be unified by the concept “Live to Trip,” expressing the developer’s desire for visitors and guests to “feel right at home.” 9009399085?profile=original

Park area adjacent to under-train multi-use shopping venue, rendering

TOKYO Solamachi and Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple’s Nakmize-dori are Great places for “Shitamachi culture” and Souvenirs 

TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN (http://www.tokyo-skytreetown.jp/english/) is at the heart of the new Shitamachi Wonderland Plan. This plan will create a vibrant, evolving district rooted in Japan’s traditional culture, providing authentic experiences of time-honored craftsmanship, interactive opportunities with locals, and great souvenir shopping on the 4th floor of Tokyo Solamachi (http://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/english/). In addition, the Japan Experience Zone, on the 5th Floor, offers a range of stores with insight into Japan’s by-hand manufacturing heritage. Goods include everything from Ninja blades to artistic candy animals to realistic food samples. Simply browsing the stores is a great way to get a feel for Japanese culture. Floor guide: http://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/english/floor/; Souvenir guide: http://www.Tokyo-solamachi.jp/pdf/souvenirGuide.pdf?ver201809103064_solamachi_01a.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x

With the new linked pedestrian bridge, travelers can also easily combine Solamachi with Sensoji’s Nakamize-dori (https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/73/index.html), also replete with bountiful, historic souvenir shops and kiosks. 

9009399492?profile=original

Pedestrian Bridge rendering, connecting Sensoji Temple to Tokyo Skytree across the Sumida River

Making Traditional Edo Cut Glass – Edo Kiriko -- the Must-Try, Traditional Shitamachi Experience 

In Asakusa travelers can get a lesson in making traditional Edo-style cut glassware – Edo Kiriko. One particular workshop locale, Sokichi (https://www.sokichi-workshop.com/blank-4) allows customers to design and make their own Edo Kiriko. They learn to combine a variety of patterned pieces using historic methods. Plus, there is no need to worry about communication, as instruction is available in English. All final work can be taken home.  %E5%86%99%E7%9C%9F-2018-01-26-15-06-46.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x Edo Kiriko, Tokyo's traditional cut glassware 

Authentic-style pubs 

For a pre-or-post Edo Kiriko workshop drink, travelers can explore the traditional Japanese izakaya pubs along Hoppy Street (https://matcha-jp.com/en/63). This is a great place for reliving vacation memories with travel companions, meeting someone, or relaxing while making plans for the next day. 9009399691?profile=original

 Hoppy Street Izakaya pubs, Asakusa area, Tokyo

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games 

For travelers planning to visit Japan during the 2020 Olympics – just one year away – there is easy access from the New National Stadium – the main Olympic events venue -- to the historic Shitamachi locale (30 minutes on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line from Shibuya to Oshiage Skytree). 

The new, multifaceted cultural shopping venue scheduled to open under the area railway tracks in Asakusa and the excitedly anticipated Shitamachi Wonderland Plan at Tokyo Skytree’s Solamachi Shopping floors – both debuting in 2020, will further add to the excitement in Shitamachi9009400666?profile=original

New multi-use and shopping venue under the elevated train line, night view rendering


About Tobu Railway Company Ltd :

TOBU Railway Company, Ltd. 
is a major Japanese corporation consisting of approximately 90 companies. The Tobu Railways cover the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo and lead to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and Tokyo SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, famous its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas, known for beautiful blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe, where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in numerous hotels, including the highly anticipated luxury properties: Nikko Fufu Resort and The Ritz Carlton Nikko, both of which will open in 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics.


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