TASTE OF YANAKA: THE OLD-FASHIONED CAT TOWN

At first glance, Yanaka’s charm is definitely the historical appearance of the buildings, with a shopping district that offers a little bit of everything. Looking closer, you may notice the popularity of a certain animal, with cat statues being stationed around the streets, cat-themed goods, cat-themed food, and possibly even stray cats themselves. Holding a reputation both as an “old town” and a “cat town,” Yanaka is a charming area of Tokyo with plenty of beautiful sights to explore and a deep history, visible in the many temples in the area.

SIGHTS TO SEE

Tennōji Temple

The Tennōji Temple, founded in 1274, is the oldest temple in the Yanaka area, sitting on the edge of the Yanaka Cemetery. Most of the temple has been rebuilt due to damage from war and fire, resulting in some slightly modern-looking architecture. The most notable feature may be the large Buddha statue, cast out of bronze, but in the past, there was also a five-story pagoda, which was unfortunately a casualty of a fire, leaving only remains. The temple also houses one of Yanaka’s Seven Lucky Gods, Bishamonten.

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

Yanaka Cemetery

As one of the largest cemeteries in Tokyo, this is the resting place for a handful of extremely important figures in Japanese history, from shoguns to scholars to novelists. The area has become popular as a location particularly for cherry blossom viewing, as there are lush trees hanging over all of the paths. Historically, it used to include Tennōji Temple, with the central cherry blossom lane leading to it but was divided formally to separate the Shinto and Buddhist religions. Still, both are great locations with a serene air and a deep background.

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

Asakura Museum of Sculpture

Asakura Fumio was a sculptor who is sometimes known as the “father of modern Japanese sculpture.” His personally designed studio was set up in Yanaka, which was also where he lived, and had set up a school to teach pupils. After his passing, the studio was opened as a museum, where his works are displayed. There is also a rooftop garden, which is the oldest in Tokyo, where Asakura had his students study gardening.

Address: 7 Chome-18-10 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

THINGS TO DO

Yanaka Ginza

Yanaka Ginza is one of the liveliest areas in Yanaka, a street with rustic and friendly vibes full of shops and food. Leading up to the street is Yūyake Dandan, a staircase named for the famous sunset view it offers. Another very unique aspect that sets Yanaka Ginza apart from other shopping streets is the surprising presence of cats! While walking, you may notice stray cats strolling around, and there are many shops selling cat or maneki-neko (lucky cat) themed merchandise. 

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

Café Nekoemon

Keeping up with Yanaka’s cat themes, one fun activity that you can try is decorating a small ceramic cat! Café Nekoemon is a small cafe offering tasty snacks and drinks, but what sets it apart from other cafes is that you can order a ceramic statue of a maneki-neko, decorate it with felt pens, and then take it home with you. The food is also cat-themed and is perfect to pair with the arts and crafts for when you get hungry while decorating!

Address: 5 Chome-4-2 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

WHERE TO EAT

Yanaka Ginza Street Food

With such a famous shopping district, there are tons of street food options to discover just from walking around, but here are a couple of unique treats!

Niku no Suzuki

The specialty of this extremely popular shop is its menchi-katsu, which is a blend of Japanese and Australian beef coated in breadcrumbs and fried. These gained immense fame for having a nice crisp shell and an explosion of flavor from the patty with every bite. The store also has a delicious “Toro Toro Yakibuta” grilled pork with a special sauce, but at minimum, the meat croquette is a must-try!

Address: 3 Chome-9-15 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

Waguriya

Specializing in chestnut flavors, Waguriya sells all kinds of treats with chestnuts from Ibaraki prefecture, such as mont blanc, a chestnut cake that is quite popular in Japan. One of Waguriya’s most famous products is their soft serve, which is great to pick up as a snack to go.

Address: 3 Chome-9-14 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

Yanaka Shippoya

Returning to Yanaka’s cat theme, Yanaka Shippoya sells donuts that look like cat tails. These donuts are made freshly every day, with each tail and flavor having a distinct pattern. Yanaka Shippoya also sells other snacks like ice cream, but their best-selling item is the “tiger tail” donut, which is flavored with cocoa and white chocolate. 

Address: 3 Chome-11-12 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

Restaurants

Burari

Burari is a ramen shop with humble appearances, and is located in an unassuming alley. However, their chicken ramen has actually been given recognition by Michelin guides before! They serve a simple menu with a few options: ramen with a creamy broth or clear broth, and tsukemen. For ramen at a relatively low price but a rich chicken broth, be sure to seek out Burari!

Address: 5 Chome-52-5 Higashinippori, Arakawa City, Tokyo 116-0014

Yakuzen Curry Jinenjo Yanaka

A local curry shop run by one person with a great passion, the curry served here is full of vegetables and Japanese medicinal herbs that are beneficial for health. Despite the name “medicinal,” the curries are delicious, the produce is fresh, and there are different flavors, such as with chicken or even seafood, making a healthy meal here very enjoyable! Unique toppings such as black sesame are available here for their health benefits as well. For a one-of-a-kind curry, Yakuzen Curry Jinenjo Yanaka is worth a visit!

Address: 5 Chome-9-25 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

Yanaka is a peaceful area with architecture and scenery that reflects a calm atmosphere, yet its community is full of life and personality. Whether you’re looking for a traditional experience or that perfect unique dish you can’t find elsewhere, this is the neighborhood for you. There is no end to the many amazing things available in this often overlooked nook, and we can’t suggest it enough. Give it a visit if you’re interested in a unique spot in Tokyo that is full of history, delicious food, and cats!

Featured Photo Credit: Arigato Travel

Visit the lovely area of Yanaka with a local expert!