Ever tried making a Japanese rolled omelet right at your table while your friends and family cheer you on? How about having fresh sushi magically delivered to you? Or perhaps you’ve dreamed of dressing up in a kimono for the perfect photo op? At Asakusa Yokocho, just a 5-minute walk from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa, you can enjoy all these unforgettable experiences in one lively and vibrant setting!

Asakusa Yokocho: Tokyo’s Must-Visit Indoor Food & Entertainment Spot

A yokocho in Japan typically refers to a narrow alley packed with small bars and restaurants. Tokyo has no shortage of these hidden gems, with spots like Shinjuku Nishiguchi Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku or Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya offering fantastic food-hunting and bar-hopping experiences.

However, Asakusa Yokocho (浅草横町) breaks away from the traditional yokocho concept. Instead of a single narrow alley, it’s designed to feel like a small, lively neighborhood—a concept reflected in its name. While yokocho is typically written as 横丁, with the kanji character 丁 referring to a city block, Asakusa Yokocho uses 町, which means “town” or “city,” emphasizing its vibrant, communal atmosphere rather than just a collection of small eateries.

Located indoors on the fourth floor of the Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building, Asakusa Yokocho offers a unique dining experience no matter the season. Whether it’s pouring rain or the peak of Tokyo’s hot and humid summer, the air-conditioned space ensures a comfortable and enjoyable food crawl all year round.

Home to seven restaurants, Asakusa Yokocho serves a variety of dishes ranging from yakitori (chicken skewers) and unagi (Japanese eel) to the Tokyo classic, monjayaki (a Japanese pan-fried batter dish). While each spot has its own unique appeal, two standout choices worth highlighting are Asakusa Sushi and Rocky Kanai.

Asakusa Sushi: A Fun and Interactive Sushi Dining Experience

At Asakusa Sushi, tourists can enjoy both delicious flavors and an interactive dining experience.

One of the restaurant’s most Instagram-worthy and flavorful dishes is the maguro mamire (¥1,649), featuring thick slices of various tuna cuts and minced tuna served on rice rolls. Guests can savor each piece individually or mix and match to create their own sushi masterpiece.

However, the real excitement begins before the first bite. When your order arrives, the server first presents a tray displaying only an image of a tuna and a rice plant. After covering it with a lid, they invite guests to join in reciting a set of “magic words.” Then, with a dramatic flourish, they lift the lid—and voilà—a beautifully arranged platter of sushi seemingly appears as if by magic. This unique presentation makes for a memorable dining experience, even for those familiar with sushi restaurants in Japan.

Another must-try dish is the salmon ikura no oyako don (¥2,199), a rice bowl topped with thick slices of salmon and salmon roe. Unlike most sushi rice, Asakusa Sushi uses akazu (red vinegar), a special Edomae-style seasoning that imparts a richer, more savory flavor to the rice. The dish is also accompanied by a comforting bowl of miso soup, making it a satisfying choice for any seafood lover.

Beyond the food, Asakusa Sushi adds an element of tradition and fun to the interactive dining experience. Upon being seated, guests select a pair of chopsticks wrapped in an omikuji—a traditional fortune slip commonly found at shrines in Japan. The fortune even determines special perks; those lucky enough to draw the cho daikichi (super lucky) slip will be treated to a complimentary serving of Japanese sake!

Asakusa Sushi
Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular holidays
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asakusasushi0701

Try Your Hand at Japanese Cooking at Rocky Kanai Asakusa

An izakaya is the Japanese version of a dining bar where friends and family gather to share food and drinks. At Rocky Kanai Asakusa, this experience goes one step further—you can cook a classic izakaya staple right at your table: dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet)!

Here, guests have the chance to try their hand at making their own fluffy, dashi-infused Japanese rolled omelet by ordering the signature self dashimake tamago (¥439). While it may seem simple, rolling the omelet properly takes a bit of skill. The delicate layers are soft and easily torn if not handled carefully—but that’s all part of the fun!

Here’s how to make your own dashimaki tamago:

1. Heat and oil the pan, then pour in a small amount of egg mixture. Once it’s almost set, use chopsticks to roll it away from you. (The first roll doesn’t have to be perfect!)
2. Oil the pan again and add more egg mixture, making a thin layer.
3. Lift the rolled omelet slightly and tilt the pan, letting some of the new egg mixture flow underneath —this step is key for keeping the layers together. Once set, roll the omelet toward you.
4. Repeat: oil, pour, lift, roll!

Cooking at your table is common in Japan for dishes like yakiniku (grilled meat) or nabe (hot pot), but finding a place where you can make dashimaki tamago is rare. It’s a fantastic experience for food lovers and a fun challenge for groups—why not turn it into a competition and see who can roll the best omelet?

Beyond the DIY experience, Rocky Kanai also offers an impressive selection of izakaya classics. One highlight is the baniku red carpet (¥1,209), a dish of thinly sliced raw horse meat topped with sweet-spicy Korean-style sauce and a soft-boiled egg. If you’re new to horse meat or raw meat in general, don’t worry—Rocky Kanai sources its horse meat from pasture-fed farms in Mongolia, ensuring a tender texture and mild flavor. Adventurous eaters shouldn’t miss this!

For drinks, try the otona no cream soda (¥659), a playful twist on Japan’s classic melon soda float. This boozy version swaps the traditional soda for melon-flavored liquor, making it the perfect way to end your meal on a sweet, nostalgic note.

Rocky Kanai Asakusa
Hours: 12:00 noon – 11:00 pm
Closed: Open year-round
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocky.kanai.asakusa/

Bonus: Rent a Kimono at Kyoto Kimono Rental wargo

To complete your traditional Japanese experience in Asakusa Yokocho, consider renting a kimono from Kyoto Kimono Rental wargo which is conveniently located on the same floor. With a wide selection ranging from children’s sizes to 5L, they offer rental plans starting from ¥3,300 to suit different budgets and tastes. While booking online in advance is recommended, same-day rentals are also available. The dressing process takes about 30 minutes, so you’ll be ready to explore Asakusa in style in no time!

Kyoto Kimono Rental wargo Asakusa Store
Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (last time for dressing 6:00 pm)
Closed: Open year-round
Website: https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/shop/8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wargo_kimono

How to Get to Asakusa Yokocho from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa

Asakusa Yokocho is just a 4-minute walk from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa, making it an easy and convenient spot to enjoy fantastic Japanese food and cultural experiences. Located in the Asakusa Rokku area, a historic entertainment district, it’s a great place to soak in the lively atmosphere of Asakusa.

With restaurants open until late at night—some until 10:00 pm, others until 11:00 pm—Asakusa Yokocho is an excellent option for those looking to enjoy a drink or experience Asakusa’s nightlife after a day of sightseeing. Adding to the lively atmosphere, cultural events are held mainly on weekend nights, featuring traditional performances like Awa Odori and Yosakoi dance performances, in line with its festival theme. What could be better than dinner and a show? Be sure to check the official Instagram account for the latest event schedule!

Asakusa Yokocho
Address: 4F Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building, 2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://asakusayokocho.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asakusa_yokocho/

WRITER

Rachael Aoki
Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Rachael has called Japan home for over a decade. She enjoys discovering destinations that are popular with locals from quaint cafes to hole-in-the-wall eateries and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves taking trips to onsen and is always up for a trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.