Watching International Visitors Take Selfies in Asakusa
What I Felt From the Scenes I Witnessed
While walking around Asakusa,
I often see international visitors enjoying taking selfies—not only in front of Kaminarimon or the main hall, but in many different spots.
In this article,
I’d like to share what I felt about people taking selfies in Asakusa,
based on the scenes I personally witnessed that day.
A Group of Three Women in Kimono Enjoying Selfies
The first group that caught my attention was three young women wearing kimono.
Before taking any photos,
they carefully checked their appearance—fixing their hair and collars for each other.
It was a very youthful and heartwarming scene.
You could tell they wanted to capture the moment properly,
especially because they were wearing kimono.
Their excitement and care made the moment even more charming.
A Woman Searching for the Perfect Angle Like a Pro
The second person I noticed was a woman
walking slowly while looking at her iPhone connected to a tripod.
She was adjusting her position by just a few centimeters,
carefully checking where the main hall would fit best in the frame.
Watching her, I thought,
“She’s really serious about this.”
A moment later, people who seemed to be her family joined her.
That’s when I realized she had been looking for the best photo spot for a family picture.
I didn’t see the exact moment they took the photo,
but I’m sure they captured a wonderful memory together.
A Couple Taking Photos in Front of a Vending Machine
The third group was a couple taking turns photographing each other
in front of a vending machine.
I already knew that Japanese vending machines are popular among international visitors,
but seeing it in person reminded me just how loved they really are.
Unlike typical vending machines that stand out with bright red or blue colors,
the vending machines in Asakusa are a soft light green.
They are designed to blend into the surroundings
so they don’t stand out too much in the historic scenery.
That thoughtful design might be one of the reasons
people find them so interesting.
About Tripod Etiquette at Sensoji Temple
At Sensoji Temple,
using a tripod does not seem to be strictly prohibited.
However, since the area is always crowded,
some consideration is necessary:
• Don’t block walkways
• Don’t stay in one spot for too long
• Be mindful of the flow of people
These small actions help everyone enjoy the space comfortably.
The Process of Taking Photos Is Part of the Experience
What I realized while watching them was that
the process of taking selfies is part of the event itself.
Not just the final photo, but also:
• Taking photos from behind
• Recording short walking videos
• Adjusting angles and trying again
All of this is part of their travel experience.
Conclusion: There Are Many Ways to Enjoy Asakusa
I used to think of Asakusa as a place
to simply see and learn about traditional Japanese culture.
But by watching international visitors,
I realized there are many different ways to enjoy it.
Taking photos, recording moments,
and enjoying the process itself—
Asakusa naturally welcomes all of these experiences.
