Historic Neighbourhoods of Tokyo | Yanaka
Introduction to the Yanka District in Tokyo
The Yanaka area is a historical part of Tokyo, developed as a temple town in the Edo period (1603-1867). Prominent temples like the Tenouji and the Kaneiji were founded and still exist in the area. In the past people living all over the Edo(the former name of Tokyo) used to visit Yanaka for worship and for sightseeing.The neighbourhoods of Yanaka still retain the charm and warmth of the past with many historical, in traditional style, buildings, some of which are very small. There is a number of very beautiful small temples.
Right beside Yanaka are two other neighbourhoods called Sendagi and Nezu. These areas are also very charming and still have the ambivalence of Edo's traditional residential quarters.The 3 neighbourhoods, Yanaka, Sendagi and Nezu are collectively called Yanesen: Ya (Yanaka) Ne (Nezu) Sen (Sendagi) Yanesen is admired and respected by people of Tokyo.
If you are finding the rest of Tokyo as a cold, concrete, fast paced megalopolis, visit Yanesen and experience (taiken) EDO (Tokyo). If, for only a moment, you experience a glimpse or taste or sound of old Edo, we believe it is worth a trip to Yanaka.
Enjoying Yanesen
To really enjoy Yanesen, simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere and ambivalence of the neighbourhood. The people living in the area are very friendly. Yanesen is a simple residential area with no specific attractions. There is no huge temples like in Asakusa. There is no big shopping areas like the Ginza and there is big, crowded public squares like in Shinjuku.
While you are walking around Yanesen, you will see old temples, traditional wooden houses, cozy, small old-styled pubs (Izakaya) with the locals enjoying a meal and a drink, kids playing in the narrow road and many stray cats sitting in the streets. Peaceful and cozy.
Also, from the Edo period to this day, Yanesen is loved by many artists such as painters or writers. So, you will see many artists sketching the old neighbourhoods and drawing one ot two rounded cats, too. :-)
YANAKA > How to get to Yanaka > Yanaka Attractions > Close to Yanaka
YANAKA Content
Walking Tours of Yanaka Tour1 | Tour 2 | Tour 3 | Tour 4
See here for photos of the Yanaka neighbourhood Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Related Travel to Japan Article
Read our article about Tokyo Heritage Weeks (Tokyo Bunkazai Week) and events in the Yanaka area.
Essentail Links - Related sources of information about: Historic Neighbourhoods in Tokyo
