Tawaramachi Station (G18): Exits for Kappabashi & Asakusa

Arriving at Tawaramachi Station (G18) on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line?

Tawaramachi Station is located between Inaricho (G17) and Asakusa (G19).

It is a convenient station for visiting Kappabashi Kitchenware Town, Asakusa ROX, Higashi Honganji Temple, and the western part of Asakusa.

However, Tawaramachi is not always the best station for every destination in Asakusa.

This guide explains where Tawaramachi Station is useful, which exit to choose, and how to avoid common mistakes.

1. Who Should Use Tawaramachi Station?

Tawaramachi Station is especially convenient for people heading to:

Kappabashi Kitchenware Town: Shopping for Japanese knives, tableware, cooking utensils, and restaurant equipment
Asakusa ROX: Shopping, restaurants, and entertainment
Higashi Honganji Temple: A Buddhist temple in Nishi-Asakusa
Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station: A separate railway station accessible on foot
Hotels in western Asakusa: Particularly around Nishi-Asakusa and the Tawaramachi area
Kuramae area: Some destinations south of Tawaramachi Station

If you are visiting Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, or Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Metro’s Asakusa Station (G19) is generally more convenient.

2. Quick Answer: Which Exit Should You Use?

Destination	Recommended Exit or Route
Kappabashi Kitchenware Town	Approximately 5 minutes on foot; Exit 3 is one possible route
Asakusa ROX	Exit 3
Higashi Honganji Temple	Exit 3
Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station	Exit 3, then walk outside
Marugoto Nippon	Exit 3
Kuramae direction	Exit 2
Kotobuki Children’s Hall	Exit 1
Senso-ji Temple / Kaminarimon Gate	Consider Ginza Line Asakusa Station (G19)

Important: Exit 3 has restricted opening hours. If it is closed, check the station signs for an available alternative.

3. Going to Kappabashi Kitchenware Town?

Kappabashi is one of the main reasons to use Tawaramachi Station.

This famous shopping district has many stores specializing in:

Japanese kitchen knives
Plates, bowls, and ceramics
Cooking utensils
Restaurant equipment
Realistic plastic food samples

According to the Kappabashi shopping association, the district is approximately a five-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station.

Which exit is best?

Exit 3 is one possible route to Kappabashi.

However, the best exit and walking route depend on the shop you want to visit.

Kappabashi is not a single building. It is a shopping district extending along a long street.

If you are visiting a particular knife shop, ceramics store, or kitchen equipment supplier, check its exact address before leaving the station.

Official information:

Kappabashi Kitchenware Town – Access (English)

4. Going to Asakusa ROX?

Use Exit 3.

Asakusa ROX is a shopping and entertainment complex located in western Asakusa.

According to its official website, it is approximately a five-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station.

After leaving Exit 3, follow your map toward Asakusa ROX at Asakusa 1-25-15.

Be careful not to confuse Asakusa ROX with shopping facilities near Tobu Asakusa Station.

They are located in different parts of Asakusa.

Official information:

Asakusa ROX – Access (Official Website)

Note: This official access page is in Japanese.

5. Going to Higashi Honganji Temple?

Use Exit 3.

Higashi Honganji Temple is located in Nishi-Asakusa.

Tokyo Metro officially lists the temple as a destination accessible from Exit 3.

After leaving the station, check the walking route to the temple entrance.

Do not confuse Higashi Honganji with Senso-ji Temple.

They are two different temples in the Asakusa area.

If your destination is Senso-ji, staying on the Ginza Line until Asakusa Station (G19) is generally more convenient.

6. Going to Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station?

This is an important point for travelers.

There are different railway stations called Asakusa in this area.

Two of them are:

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station (G19)
Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station

These are not the same station.

From Tawaramachi Station, Exit 3 is the designated direction for Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station.

You must walk outside to reach the Tsukuba Express station.

There is no direct underground transfer passage between Tawaramachi Station and Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station.

Before following directions to “Asakusa Station,” always check the railway operator.

7. Going Toward Kuramae?

Use Exit 2 for the Kuramae direction.

Tokyo Metro lists Kuramae Station on the Toei Oedo Line among the destinations accessible from Exit 2.

However, Tawaramachi and Kuramae are separate stations.

You need to walk outside to travel between them.

If you are heading to a hotel, restaurant, or other business in Kuramae, check its exact address.

For some destinations, another station may be more convenient.

8. What About Exit 1?

Exit 1 serves local destinations around Tawaramachi.

Tokyo Metro lists:

Kotobuki Children’s Hall
Taito City’s Southern Branch Office

This exit may be useful for local addresses on this side of the station.

It is generally not the main exit for visitors heading to Asakusa ROX or Higashi Honganji Temple.

9. Tawaramachi or Asakusa: Which Station Is Better?

Although Tawaramachi (G18) and Asakusa (G19) are neighboring stations on the Ginza Line, they are convenient for different destinations.

Choose Tawaramachi Station (G18) for:

Kappabashi Kitchenware Town
Asakusa ROX
Higashi Honganji Temple
Hotels and businesses in western Asakusa

Choose Asakusa Station (G19) for:

Kaminarimon Gate
Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise Shopping Street
Tobu Asakusa Station
The Sumida River area

If you are already traveling on the Ginza Line toward Senso-ji Temple, staying on the train until Asakusa Station may save you walking time.

10. Common Mistakes at Tawaramachi Station

Mistake 1: Getting off at Tawaramachi for every Asakusa attraction

Tawaramachi is useful for western Asakusa.

For Senso-ji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate, Asakusa Station (G19) is generally a better choice.

Mistake 2: Confusing the different Asakusa stations

Tokyo Metro’s Asakusa Station and Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station are separate stations.

Check the railway operator before choosing your route.

Mistake 3: Assuming Kappabashi is one building

Kappabashi is a long shopping street with many individual shops.

Check the exact shop location before choosing your walking route.

Mistake 4: Assuming Exit 3 is always open

Tokyo Metro identifies Exit 3 as having restricted opening hours.

If the exit is closed, follow the station signs to another available exit.

Once outside, check your current location before walking toward your destination.

11. Japan Life Steps Tip

Remember these simple points when using Tawaramachi Station:

Kappabashi: Tawaramachi is a convenient station, but check the location of your particular shop.

Asakusa ROX: Use Exit 3.

Higashi Honganji: Use Exit 3.

Tsukuba Express Asakusa: Use Exit 3 and walk outside.

Senso-ji and Kaminarimon: Consider Asakusa Station (G19) instead.

The best station is not always the one with the most familiar name.

Choose your station and exit based on your actual destination.

Official Information

For the latest station information and destination details, check these official websites:

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available in 2026. Station exit availability, opening hours, walking routes, and nearby facilities may change. Always check the latest official railway information and station signs before traveling.