Asakusa: Big-picture History Walk to Know Japan

Along the Sumida River, you learn how Japan moved from centuries of isolation to reopening under global pressure. The tour also provides a clear foundation in Buddhism and Shinto, explores cultural contrasts such as Japanese and Western dragons, and reveals Japan’s unexpected influence on European art through ukiyo-e prints. By comparing medieval Japan and Europe and ending at a rare site where a Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine have coexisted for over a millennium, the walk offers a big-picture understanding of Japan’s history, beliefs, and global connections.