Asakusa Retailers Get Ready To Roll Out Red Carpet

Above, Nakamise Street before the pandemic. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the most enjoyable places to visit while in Tokyo is Nakamise Street (or Nakamise Dori) in Asakusa.

Tourists annually spend plenty of yen while visiting many shops.

Now that foreign tourists are about to be welcomed back (after a time for processing visas) to Japan, Nakamise Street's retailers are getting ready to welcome them.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Popular tourist destinations are gearing up for a return to pre-pandemic times in line with the June 10 resumption of procedures to finally allow inbound visitors after a two-year lull on entry.

While the initial inflow will be from a limited number of nations deemed to be at a lower risk of novel coronavirus infections and involve small tour groups, hopes are gaining traction that larger numbers will return this summer.

The Asakusa Nakamise shopping area close to spectacular Sensoji temple in Tokyo is regarded as a must-see tourist destination, and far more visitors were seen strolling through the narrow thoroughfare on June 10. Most, however, were Japanese women in kimono or students on school trips.

But the Nakamise association of retail outlets is already preparing for a full-scale return of hordes of foreign tourists. All 88 member stores boast posters in English calling on visitors to abide by infection-prevention measures, such as wearing face masks and disinfecting their hands.

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