Nippori: The Tokyo You’ve Never Seen

If you want to step away from the modern, glitzy side of Tokyo and wish to explore an area that seems out of place with the rest of the city, spend some time in Nippori, a delightful blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibe. Located in the shitamachi area (literally: ‘the lower side of the city’) of Tokyo, this down-to-earth, retro-chic district is home to many things. This includes a popular textile market, serene temples, cozy cafes, twisting alleys, and even one of the most unique Sakura viewing spots in all of Tokyo.

Let’s take a quick stroll through the winding streets of Nippori and learn how to spend a few hours in this quaint little Tokyo neighborhood.

What to do?

Geek-Out At Shimogoindenhashi

Shimogoindenhashi Bridge which is located right outside Nippori Station, is a perfect starting point for a walk through the neighbourhood. If you are a densha otaku or a train enthusiast, this is the ideal spot to get some pictures of the 13 railway tracks that pass under this elevated viewing spot. Train spotting can always be a fun activity, and when you stand on this bridge, you will see many trains and even the occasional bullet train thunder past, right underneath your feet. Truly a train-lovers paradise!

Location: 3 Chome-1 Nishinippori, Arakawa City, Tokyo 116-0013, Japan

Meet The Buddha At Tenno-ji

A few minutes walk from Nippori Station is Tenno-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Yanaka district. The temple was founded in the year 1274 and is now one of the last few temples for the Tendai sect of Buddhism. In one corner of the temple premises, there is a large seated copper Buddha statue that was constructed in 1690. The temple is also the home to Bishamonten, one of the famous Seven Gods of Fortune of Yanaka. Although a lot of the temple was destroyed over the years, what remains is quite a beautiful site, with landscaped gardens and iconic pagoda structures dotting the landscape.

Location: 7 Chome-14-8 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan

Take a Walk in a Cemetery

Cemeteries are generally considered spooky and are generally not on most people’s ‘must see’ list. But Yanaka Cemetery, which is a short distance ahead of Tenno-ji, is a peaceful and tranquil leafy enclave that is home to 7000 graves, including the tomb of the last Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshinobu. Once a part of the Tenno-ji temple, the cemetery is well-known for the Sakura-Dori, a central street that runs through it. If you take a walk through the cemetery in spring, especially on the path lined by the freshly bloomed sakura, you can’t help but feel that you are in one of the most unique spots in Japan. An oasis of calm where the past, the present, and future co-exist in perfect harmony.

Location: 7 Chome-5-24 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan

Walk Through the Torii Gates at Nezu Jinja

If you are looking for a perfect Torii Gate photo opportunity in Tokyo, head to the historic Nezu Jinja Shrine. The 2000-year-old shrine was first built in nearby Sendagi but was rebuilt on the current site about 300 years ago. Nezu Jinja is one of the most photogenic shrines in Tokyo, thanks to its lush greenery, azalea blooms, koi ponds, and beautifully constructed wooden structures. Its beauty is most evident in the spring when the azaleas are in full bloom. Located beside the main shrine is a small path of vermillion-coloured torii gates, leading up to the Otome Inari Shrine, a second shrine found within the premises. This hidden shrine is not as famous as some of the other shrines in Tokyo, which makes it a perfect spot to soak in the beauty of nature, culture, and tradition in relative peace.

Location: 1 Chome-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0031, Japan

Go Souvenir Shopping at Yanaka Ginza

The popular shopping street of Yanaka Ginza managed to escape heavy bombings during WWII, making it one of the few places in Tokyo where you can still see the city’s pre-war pathways and shops intact. It is a treasure trove of unique shops that offer everything, including traditional Japanese sweets, daily-use goods made from natural materials, and cute cat souvenirs. It is also known as Cat Town because, at one time, it was completely filled with cats. Today, there are cat figurines scattered all over the street, making it the perfect spot for cat lovers, too. Also, if you are around Yanaka Ginza at sunset, remember to head towards ‘Yuyake Dandan,’ a flight of stairs on one end of the street. It’s one of the perfect spots in Tokyo to watch the sun go down.

Location: 3 Chome-13-1 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan

Nippori Fabric Town

Once you’ve had enough of the past, step back into the contemporary at Nippori’s Fabric Town. Originally a wholesale district, over the years, it has become a popular destination for retail shopping as well. It’s a rather long street filled with almost 100 shops, where you can find everything related to textiles, fashion and handicrafts! If you are a DIY fashion enthusiast, you can spend hours here, exploring the different shops in search of the perfect material for your next project. Nippori Fabric Town is particularly popular with cosplay enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for fabric, leather, buttons, zippers, or even sewing accessories, you will find it all here.

Location: 116-0014 Tokyo, Arakawa City, Higashinippori, 5 Chome−34−8

What to Eat?

After so much walking, you’re likely to be hungry. But don’t worry, we have you covered. Yanaka Ginza is the perfect place to stuff yourself with some amazing food. Here are some of my recommendations:

Nikunosuzuki

If korokke is your thing, look for the Genki Menchi Katsu or delicious beef croquettes at Nikunosuzuki, a store that has been serving ‘full of energy’ beef and pork snacks since 1933.

Location: 3-9-15 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Yanaka Shippoya

Cats rule at Yanaka Ginza, and it’s no surprise that they feature in the local food, too. Yanaka Shippoya (or Yanaka’s Tail) is a specialty store that serves grilled donuts in the shape of a cat’s tail. You can’t get cuter than that!

Location: 3-11-12 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Waguriya Japanese Chestnuts

If you have a sweet tooth and want to try something uniquely Japanese, try the snacks and desserts made from chestnuts at Waguriya. They serve plain old roasted chestnuts as well as chestnut-flavored parfaits and desserts made from locally sourced nuts farmed in their fields.

Location: 3-9-14 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Soba Azegami

Want something more filling than some snacks? The hand-made, authentic Nihachi Soba noodles are made by a chef who trained for 20 years in a popular soba restaurant in Kanda before setting up his restaurant in Yanaka. The seasonal ‘Tenseiro’ set meal of soba and fried tempura or the Wariko Soba, which offers a taste of 5 different flavors, is just right after a long walk on a hot summer day.

Location: 3-11-11 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo is all about contrasts, and a walk through the Nippori neighborhood will tell you exactly why. It takes you away from the fast-paced world of Shibuya and Shinjuku and transports you to an era long gone. And then, right as you think you are away from it all, it brings you back to the present. Once you spend a couple of hours walking through the winding streets of Nippori, believe me, you will want to keep coming back for more.

If you want to taste the awesome food at Yanaka and learn a little more about the Shitamachi district, join us for an old town food walk.

Featured image by Amit Manjaramkar 

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