Sepia
Memories. ð
Yanaka is part of "Yanesen" (Yanaka, Nezu, Sendagi). It is one of the few districts that escaped major damage during WWII.
There are no skyscrapers here. Instead, you find narrow alleys, bicycle shops, tofu makers, and over 100 temples packed into a small area. It is Tokyo at a human pace.
Yanaka Ginza. ðĄ
The heart of the district is this bustling 170-meter shopping street. It retains the atmosphere of 1950s Tokyo.
Yuyake Dandan
The "Sunset Stairs." The view from the top of the stairs looking down into the market at sunset is an iconic image of nostalgic Japan.
Street Cats
Yanaka is famous for its stray cats (and cat-themed goods). They lounge on roofs and stairs, protected by the locals.
Final Resting Place
The Last Shogun
Yanaka Cemetery. ðŠĶ
It sounds morbid, but Yanaka Cemetery is beautiful. It is a massive park with wide avenues lined with cherry trees. It is the final resting place of the last Shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
Tennoji Temple:
A serene temple with a large bronze Buddha sitting peacefully amongst the trees.
Reused Architecture. â
Yanaka is a hub for young artists who have converted old buildings into galleries and cafes. The most famous is **SCAI The Bathhouse**, a contemporary art gallery inside a 200-year-old public bath.
Kayaba Coffee:
A landmark 1938 coffee shop. Sip iconic egg sandwiches in a tatami room on the second floor.
Contemporary
Old Walls, New Art
Follow The Cat. ð
Get lost in the winding backstreets.