What other travelers are saying about Asakusa Public Hall
It was a nice building with everything maintained very well. From the look of the building, I worried about the restrooms (old, smelly, dirty, Japanese style???) but they were renovated and clean ( and Western style!).
There was a lot of sofas for people to sit during breaks, some looking out the window to view the famous Sensoji Temple.
Nice and clean performance hall. Great location to see kabuki. It's not as grand as Kabukiza but it was nice.
They had 1000yen Imahan beef Bento boxes, which is incredibly reasonable considering how famous the shop is.
They had coarse red bean jam dorayaki, made from a company in Shimane. It had glazed chestnuts inside, too. It was quite sweet and the pancake was more like castella than normal dorayaki. The packaging was very yen a piece.
I really loved the the black sesame covered peanut balls, with cute kabuki-themed packaging.
The show was an hour long and great. Don't forget to rent a subtitle display or you'll be lost while watching the story.
A lot of shops and foods before entering the temple. Super busy and super fun. If you want to take more photos with the least amount of crowds. Go early morning like 9 a.m. the crowds starts coming in at 10 a.m.
Super clean and well furnished. First floor has clean toilet for not only men and women but also with maternity/paternity rooms in them. Even a nursing room for milking is available separately. Smoking room is separated from main hall with a resting space so no smoke would leak and smell. Even the smoke room is super clean.
300 hand prints (similar to Avenue of the Stars in California, but with hand prints on the floor rather thsn stars); the location is for stage shows by artists. Simply passed by for a quick photo during our rickshaw tour.
Nice marketing with the 5-ninjas hanging around, outside the building to make me ask about the place 🤣🤣🤣
Asakusa Public Hall primarily showcases traditional Japanese performing arts, with rakugo (comic storytelling) being the most frequent offering. You can also attend manzai comedy performances, traditional music concerts featuring instruments like the shamisen and koto, theatrical productions, and occasionally contemporary cultural events. The venue hosts both established masters and emerging artists, providing an authentic experience of Japan's entertainment heritage. Performance schedules vary throughout the year, so checking the hall's calendar in advance is recommended.
While most performances are conducted entirely in Japanese without subtitles, many acts remain engaging for non-Japanese speakers. Rakugo and manzai rely heavily on verbal humor and wordplay, which can be challenging to follow without language knowledge. However, traditional music performances, dance, and some theatrical shows offer visual and auditory experiences that transcend language barriers. Some special events provide English program notes, and the expressive nature of the performers often conveys emotions and comedic timing that international audiences can appreciate.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the hall's box office or through online ticketing services that handle Japanese cultural events. Prices typically range from ¥2,000 to ¥5,000 depending on the performance and seating location. For popular shows featuring well-known performers, advance booking is strongly recommended as seats sell out quickly. Some performances offer same-day tickets at the door, but availability cannot be guaranteed. The box office staff can assist with seating recommendations based on your preferences.
Yes, Asakusa Public Hall integrates perfectly into an Asakusa itinerary. The venue is located just a five-minute walk from Asakusa Station and is near major attractions including Sensō-ji Temple, the Nakamise shopping street, and the Sumida River waterfront. Most performances run for 90 minutes to two hours, allowing you to attend a show and still have time to explore the neighborhood's temples, traditional shops, and restaurants. Evening performances work particularly well after spending the day sightseeing in the area.
Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible and equipped to accommodate visitors with special needs. The hall provides wheelchair seating areas, accessible restrooms, and staff assistance upon request. Elevators are available for reaching different floors, and the venue's entrances are designed for easy access. It's advisable to mention any specific accessibility requirements when booking tickets so the staff can prepare appropriate seating and ensure a comfortable visit. The hall's commitment to accessibility reflects its role as a community cultural center.
