It was the fourth day of a new decade, and throngs of locals and visitors alike are dressed in traditional kimonos to visit the Sensoji in Asakusa to welcome their good fortune for the new decade.

Numerous visitors made a little hop to touch the bottom of the enormous lantern at the Kaminarimon Gate - the superstition being that doing so will bring good luck.

The 200-metre shopping street (‘Nakamise’) beyond the Kaminarimon Gate leading to the second gate, Hozomon, was jam packed with people, so we had to resort to walking through the side streets past the back of the shops to avoid the crowds. While some enjoy the bustling atmosphere and continue to line up for the food stalls and souvenir shops lining the street, you know it’s more crowded than normal when you hear locals expressing their surprise, uttering “sugoi konde ite ne!” (Wow! It’s really crowded!)

Since we made the hour-long trek from Tokyo to Asakusa, we decided to make it worth our while by visiting several food stalls and consuming everything from deep-fried mochi, deep-fried fish on a stick, pork belly skewers and more. Numerous food stalls flank both sides of the temple near Hozomon Gate, making it an easy decision to stop by for a snack after getting their “mikuji” fortune at the temple.

Asakusa definitely makes for a scenic day trip, but if you aren’t a fan of crowds, it may be best to avoid the new year rush and the associated line ups. There are plenty of activities to enjoy and scenes to take in while you are here, including the delicious sukiyaki, delectable traditional treats, juicy meat skewers, colorful decorations, vibrantly dressed guests and more.