The Asakusa quarter of Tokyo has a shady past--it was the home of some of Japan's most notorious pleasure palaces. Today it embraces this history by remaining a steadfast holdout of independent culture, which encompasses traditional comedy theater and some of the most innovative burlesque in the world. Asakusa has long attracted bohemians who opt out of Japan's contemporary consumer society, yet it is also home to the famous Senso-ji temple, which...