The oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, built in 628 AD, Senso-ji drew crowds of worshippers from among the common people and during the Edo period (17th to 19th century), it prospered at the center of cultural development. Famous tourist landmark Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is the 3.9m-high entrance gate to Senso-ji and features a giant red lantern and statues of the gods of wind and thunder. When it lights up after sunset, the vermillion red structure of Kaminarimon shines even brighter. With fewer visitors than during the day, the evening is a good time to wander at your own pace.

The story of the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival began when the Buddhist monk Tenkai, who founded Kaneiji Temple during the early Edo period (17th century), transplanted cherry trees from Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom spots, to the Ueno Park area. The festival is held from mid-March to early April. It is one of the 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan, and you can admire the blossoms that originated in Ueno Onshi (Imperial Gift) Park, including Yoshino cherry trees. During the festival, it is crowded with people celebrating with hanami viewing parties and after sunset, the cherry trees in the park are lit up with bonbori (traditional Japanese paper lanterns). The blossoms along the path around Shinobazu Pond are also stunningly illuminated.

A delight of Taito City is to sample the venerable restaurants that have been operating continuously since the Edo period (1603-1867). Enjoy the flavors of old Edo including Edomae-zushi, a sushi made using traditional techniques such as adding salt, vinegar, kelp and pickling to enhance the umami of fish caught in Tokyo Bay; ten-don, where the tempura is fried in sesame oil and plunged into a salty-sweet dipping sauce, then served on a bed of rice); dishes using dojo (pond loach), a fish that fed the Edo masses; sukiyaki, the dish that popularized beef and was a symbol of modernization in the 19th century, and unagi (eel), basted over the coals with a secret sauce made the traditional way as passed down the generations.

The Sanja Matsuri is one of Japan's biggest events and originated in 1312, when mikoshi (floats or portable shrines) were placed aboard boats to cross the Sumida River. It started as the "boat festival". Held in mid-May every year over three days from Friday to Sunday, events include a Shinto ritual to bless the mikoshi and Binzasara Mai, a traditional dance to pray for abundant harvests and prosperity. Out of the entire festival, the wildest and most spectacular event is the "Miyadashi". This is said to be the most vibrant time of year in Asakusa and the shitamachi area redolent of the Edo days. It heralds early summer in Taito City.

The approach to the front gates of Senso-ji Temple is known as one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. The cobblestone pavement of about 250 meters from the outer Kaminarimon Gate to the inner Hozomon Gate is lined with souvenir shops and eateries lit up with seasonal decorations. In addition to traditional Japanese sweets such as ningyo-yaki (baked doll cakes) and handmade sembei rice crackers, many shops offer traditional crafts such as Japanese umbrellas and fans: walking here, the sense of being deep in Japan is inescapable. Many shops show the process of making their food products, adding to the enjoyment of fresh, hot goods.