Asakusa is an aging but vibrant area of Tokyo. On many walking tours of this interesting district I encountered old shops, older temples and an eclectic mix of tourist and local shopping. The centrepiece of Asakusa - Senso-ji temple, or Asakusa Kannon-do, features a very long entrance starting with a giant paper lamp that, when passed under, leads down a long street of shopping before reaching the first of the prayer buildings. The buddhist temple itself is very impressive and many buddhist come to pray here.

The shops around Asakusa are wooden and iron construction. Even though the new shops next door are concrete and steel, the old shops retain their old worldliness so, on the days when tourists are few and locals aren't being fashionable, you could believe you were still in the Edo period.

There are some amusing names for the newer shops. Coffee Funny is probably my favourite. I'm sure you'll find others.

Behind the lamp, in front of the temple, between the various shops selling similar items, are many food places frequented by foreigners. Avoid these unless you need a menu in English. Locals will not go to these places. Behind the temple are many more restaurants and other eating establishments frequented by locals.

I had the chance to visit one restaurant which was full of retired Japanese Gentlemen, drinking at 10am. There I was seated at a table with 3 other men and served hot sake and 2 large whole oil-cooked sardines, with various condiments. An excellent breakfast.

If you can avoid the tourist places you'll have more of a chance to explore real Asakusa. Due to my penchant for getting lost in the complicated and maze-like streets I was always stumbling across new surprises.

A tiny temple here, a small shrine there, a shop specialising in vinyl records, an underground bicycle park, even a giant plastic flame next to the Asahi building on the river is enough to add a surprise to the journey.

And, of course, the locals add to the flavour of Asakusa. Ladies wearing kimonos, salaryman in business suits on bicycles, teenagers with creative hairstyles and more.

Asakusa is also the cheapest area to base yourself while you explore Tokyo. You can't find hostel, hotel or other accommodation as cheap anywhere else.

There's also a certain atmosphere about Asakusa. Because it is like stepping into the past in some places, the atmosphere is a lot more relaxing than in Shibuya or Shinjuku.

And if you're bored with the slowness of Asakusa, there's even a cruise you can take called Happy Dog Cruise, to take you away from it all and into the more exciting parts of Tokyo.