When you hear “Tokyo”, what comes to mind first? Neon lights, beautiful temples, great food, technology or Japanese pop culture? Tokyo is the place where modern meets tradition. You'll never get bored in this unique, sometimes weird, but attractive metropolitan city. If you are overwhelmed with all the choices and don’t know what to do, here’s a list of the top events in Tokyo for people that want to take a glimpse of Tokyo’s old days.
1. Bathing Experiences and More at Sento, Public Bathhouses
Japanese “onsen (hot spring)” culture is famous throughout the world, but did you know there is another place you can enjoy bathing more casually? It’s public bathhouses called “sento”, and there are hundreds of them in Tokyo. Some sento provide a variety of services and facilities such as sauna, outside baths, jet baths, massage, meals and even a place to take a nap! You might be able to experience wearing a yukata as well.
2. Kappabashi Street - The Mecca of Kitchen Equipments
If you are interested in Japanese cuisine or simply into cooking, you should visit Kappabashi Street. It is a shopping area which sells quality kitchen equipment, mainly for restaurants. Located between Ueno and Asakusa, this street has been a mecca of kitchen supply stores for more than 100 years. There are approximately 170 stores in this area alone. You will find Japanese dishes, cooking utensils, pots, pans, cooking knives and even the plastic food samples you see in the show windows in front of restaurants.
3. Make Your Own Plastic Food Sample
In Japan, many restaurants display plastic food samples in the show windows out in front. Some shop owners began doing this almost 100 years ago. It has been helpful, especially for tourists, to see what the dishes look like. But now, you can also MAKE your own! There are some shops offering a one-time lesson in English, where a teacher helps you make a realistic food sample.
4. Taste Nostalgic Snacks At Dagashi Bar
Dagashi are types of cheap Japanese snacks that have been around for decades. Dagashi are some of the first things that children can afford with their allowance, which is why it gives Japanese people such a nostalgic feeling. At Dahashi bar, you can experience not only the taste of Dagashi, but also the Japanese retro school atmosphere.
5. Izakaya Street Experience
“Golden Gai” is obviously a famous Izakaya spot everyone now knows, but you cannot miss other hidden Izakaya streets in Tokyo. “Ameyoko” in Ueno, “Nonbei Yokocho” in Shibuya, “Omoide Yokocho” in Shinjuku and “Hoppi Street” in Asakusa. Yurakucho has a vibrant Izakaya alley under the train tracks where you can find Japanese “salary man” hang out after work. “Harmonica Yokocho” in Kichijoji is a little more cozy, but there are enough small izakayas to bar hop.
Yanaka - A Japanese Traditional Shopping District
If the traditional and unique places listed above spark your interest, there’s one spot you should head for, the Yanaka area. It is located near Sendagi Station and Nippori Station.
Tokyo is a city which had to survive from some unpleasant historical events, such as World War bombings, earthquakes and a fire in 1923. Hence, you don’t see many traditional buildings around. However, Yanaka is known as one of the quaintest areas, as well as the old temple district in Tokyo, being kept safe from those unfortunate events.
Recently, this spot has been popular not only among tourists but also young Japanese locals. The main secret behind Yanaka’s popularity is an abundance of craft and food shops on (or near) the shopping street called “Yanaka Ginza”. It’s a 170m street with about 70 shops! There are lots of snacks, street food and craft shops. Yanaka is also called “cat town”, since there are many wild cats wandering around. One of fun things to do in Yanaka is to count how many cats you see on the day!
Tokyo is a city which had to survive from some unpleasant historical events, such as World War bombings, earthquakes and a fire in 1923. Hence, you don’t see many traditional buildings around. However, Yanaka is known as one of the quaintest areas, as well as the old temple district in Tokyo, being kept safe from those unfortunate events.
Recently, this spot has been popular not only among tourists but also young Japanese locals. The main secret behind Yanaka’s popularity is an abundance of craft and food shops on (or near) the shopping street called “Yanaka Ginza”. It’s a 170m street with about 70 shops! There are lots of snacks, street food and craft shops. Yanaka is also called “cat town”, since there are many wild cats wandering around. One of fun things to do in Yanaka is to count how many cats you see on the day!
Popular Spots in Yanaka
Yanaka is a great spot for a walk. Here’s a list of recommended spots you should stop by!
Yuyake Dandan Steps
The most famous spot in Yanaka is “Yuyake Dandan (sunset steps)”, 36 steps descending 4.4 meters. It’s located on the west side of Nippori Station. As the name says, the sunset view over Yanaka Ginza from the top of the steps is stunning and a little nostalgic. This spot is used in Japanese TV programs all the time.
Taste Amazing Senbei
“Senbei (rice crackers)” is a popular Japanese traditional snack. Yanaka is one of the most famous areas for having great Senbei shops such as “Kikumi Senbei”, “Mukashi Senbei Daikokuya” and “‘Yanaka Senbei Sinsendo” to name a few. This area started to flourish as a temple district around the 16th century, and Senbei has been a common gift for temples when people visit. It’s said that is the reason why so many great Senbei shops remain there.
Street Food Shops
If you want to try great street foods in Yanaka, make sure that you are hungry when you visit! Other than Senbei, Yanaka Ginza offers you a variety of street food and snacks. “Ichifuji” is a popular delicatessen where you can taste “Korokke (potato croquette)” or “Menchi Katsu (mince croquette)”. If you want something sweet and filling, there’s a donut shop next to “Ichifuji” called “Yanaka Shippoya” (“Shippo” means “tail”) where you can see cute cat tail shaped donuts!
Craft Shops
“Kami to Nuno” is a textile and paper shop where you can find unique design of bandanas, furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths), umbrellas and cute envelopes and more. For wood carved items, go to “Le Poilu”. You can feel the warmth of wooden kitchen utensils. On Yanaka Ginza Street, there’s a bamboo craft shop called “Midoriya”. From their items such as baskets, bags and chopsticks, you can see great techniques which have taken generations to perfect.
Related Tour
Downtown walk in Yanaka and tram ride| WOW U
Time for a different kind of Tokyo! Take a walk in the laid-back Nippori and Yanaka neighborhood will surely become a good memory for you!
Information
You can access Yanaka Ginza from either Nippori Station (JR Yamanote Line, Joban Line, Toneri Line or Kisei Line) or Sendagi Station (Metro Chiyoda Line). It takes about 5 min on foot from either each station.
Address: 3-13-1 Yanaka, Taito Ward, Tokyo 110-0001 (Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street Promotion Association)
[email protected] (Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street Promotion Association)
Address: 3-13-1 Yanaka, Taito Ward, Tokyo 110-0001 (Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street Promotion Association)
[email protected] (Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street Promotion Association)
