Asakusa - Izumiya for sembei

The historic temple area, Asakusa, has many sembei (rice cracker) shops. One of my favorite is Izumiya. This quaint sembei shop presents the rice crackers in glass jars with tin lids. A wide variety of flavors include both sweet and savory like shiso, zarame (rock sugar), and a very spicy dried red pepper covered ookara. The very delicate and thin usuyaki, nori wrapped, and an unusual type, an extra hard genkotsu. There is also a shop in the Nakamise Dori, but this selection is much bigger.

Izumiya 和泉屋
Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-1-4
Tel. 03-3841-5501
10:30 – 19:30 (closed Thursdays)
www.asakusa.gr.jp/nakama/izumiya/ (Japanese)

Aoi Marushin Tempura in Asakusa

Tempura is undeniably one of the most popular foods foreigners want to try when they come to Japan. One shop that is in Asakusa near the temple and Nakamise Dori is Aoi Marushin. It is very easy to find. When you are facing the Kaminarimon large red lantern, walk to your left a few blocks and it is on your hand side.

Aoi Marushin
1-4-4 Asakusa
Phone (03)3841-0110

Ningyoyaki at Asakusa's Nakamise Dori

These cakes are filled with azuki paste and grilled in front of your eyes. Not sure, but I believe this is Kimuraya. It is about half-way up on the Nakamise Dori on your way up to the temple.

Yagenbori Shichimi in Asakusa 浅草のやげん堀

This great article in today's The Japan Times covers the history of Yagenbori in Asakusa, a shop that has been selling shichimi tougarashi (seven spice) for over 400 years.　

search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/ek20090618wh.html