Discover Engawa Asakusa: A Hidden Sanctuary Near Sensoji
Just a few steps from Sensoji, Engawa Asakusa offers a calm counterpoint to the bustle of Asakusa’s main streets. Opened in October 2025, the space feels like a hidden sanctuary, its sleek, minimalist design accented with reclaimed wood from traditional Japanese homes. Inside, you’ll find a cafe-bar that serves authentic sencha drinks and a select shop stocked with beautiful, carefully curated made-in-Japan items.
Its name comes from the engawa: a roofed, veranda-like space that connects the home and garden in traditional Japanese architecture, bridging the inside and outside. The store is meant to serve a similar purpose, connecting visitors with Japanese culture. Its concept grew out of Omotenashi Selection, an award program that highlights products embodying Japan’s distinctive spirit of hospitality.
Shop for Authentic Japanese Craft: The Omotenashi Selection Collection
After a successful yearlong pop-up at Narita Airport, the team behind Engawa Asakusa realized two things: that travelers wanted deeper, more authentic experiences of Japan, and that regional artisans longed for new ways to reach them. Asakusa — long a crossroads of cultures and traditions — became the natural home for a more permanent space.
“Asakusa is a place where culture and history intersect,” explains Yuki Sakurada, the shop’s project manager. “In this setting, we hope to create a space like an engawa, where visitors and creators can meet, connect and form new relationships.”
Inside, over 400 handpicked items from around Japan are displayed with the care of a gallery. The selection includes Kyoto-forged knives, delicate Gifu ceramics and Kikkoman’s small-batch soy sauces. Many are winners of the Omotenashi Selection awards, curated in collaboration with TW’s editorial team, and will rotate seasonally to spotlight new discoveries.
The Engawa Asakusa Cafe-Bar: Refined Tea and Dessert Pairings
The cafe-bar is a collaboration with Soejimaen, a 100-year-old tea farm from Saga Prefecture; it serves refined tea drinks as well as desserts created with pâtisserie maison Fujiya Hakodate. A slice of gâteau fromage pairs beautifully with a roasted tea latte or a tea-infused highball.
Additionally, through a state-of-the-art digital telepresence system called Mado, visitors can have the opportunity to interact live with artisans around Japan — chatting with daruma doll makers in Gunma or sake brewers in Niigata as they work in their studios. It’s a rare glimpse into the living heart of Japanese craft.
In an era when much of Japan’s craftsmanship risks being seen from a distance, Engawa Asakusa brings it back within reach. The store bridges artisans and travelers through shared experience — one conversation, one cup of tea, one handmade object at a time.
More Info
To learn more about Engawa Asakusa, visit the shop’s Instagram or its website.
