Yanaka

Overview

Yanaka is one of Tokyo's last truly old-fashioned neighborhoods, a remarkably preserved shitamachi (old downtown) area filled with temples, traditional wooden houses, and independent artisan shops.

Highlights

• Yanaka Ginza: A charming retro shopping street lined with traditional food stalls, craft shops, and friendly cats — Tokyo's most photographed old shopping street.
• Yanaka Cemetery: A vast, atmospheric graveyard shaded by hundreds of cherry trees, containing the graves of samurai, artists, and the last Tokugawa shogun.
• Temple District: Over 70 Buddhist temples are concentrated in this small area, giving it one of the highest temple densities in Tokyo.

History

Yanaka survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII fire bombings largely intact, preserving its Edo-era street layout and low-rise wooden architecture while most of Tokyo was rebuilt.

Visitor Tips

• Cat Town: Yanaka is famous for its resident stray cats — look for cat-themed shops, sculptures, and the real cats lounging on temple walls.
• Sunset Stairs: The "Yuyake Dandan" (Sunset Staircase) at the top of Yanaka Ginza is a beloved spot to watch the sunset.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.