Discover Nippori & Yanaka
Old Tokyo’s temple town — Yūyake Dandan sunset stairs, Yanaka Ginza, 16 historic temples and 12 museums and gardens. Explore 28 unforgettable spots.
Nippori and Yanaka preserve the atmosphere of old Tokyo (shitamachi) better than almost anywhere else in the city — narrow lanes, family-run shops, and dozens of temples that survived both the 1923 earthquake and WWII bombing. It’s a favourite for visitors wanting a slower, more authentic side of Tokyo. Below, Memory Travel has organised all 28 of our recommended spots into two walking courses: Teramachi (temple town) and Museum Tour.
- 1. Shimogoinden Bridge (Train Museum)
- 2. Hongyōji Temple
- 3. Kyōōji Temple
- 4. Fujimi-zaka Hill (slope for viewing Mt. Fuji)
- 5. Jōkōji Temple
- 6. Suwa Jinja Shrine
- 7. Nishi-Nippori Park
- 8. Seiunji Temple
- 9. Shushōin Temple
- 10. Yūyake Dandan and Yanaka Ginza
- 11. Okakura Tenshin Memorial Park
- 12. Daienji Temple
- 13. Zenshōan Temple
- 14. Sansaki-zaka Hill
- 15. Tsuiji-bei wall of the Kannonji Temple
- 16. Goten-zaka Hill
- 17. Zenshōji Temple
- 18. Tennōji Temple
- 19. Daimyō Clock Museum
- 20. Miura-zaka Hill
- 21. Shitamachi Museum Annex (The Former Yoshidaya Liquor Shop)
- 22. Jōmyōin Temple
- 23. Negishi Sanpeidō Museum
- 24. Calligraphy Museum
- 25. Shikian House
- 26. Nippori-Minami Park
- 27. Commemorative Stone for Yūyake Koyake (Dai-ni Nippori Elementary School)
- 28. Nippori Fabric Town
1Shimogoinden Bridge (Train Museum)
A special viewing deck in the middle of Shimogoinden-bashi Bridge from which to view trains as they constantly pass to and fro on over 14 train lines, including the Yamanote Line and Keisei Line.
2Hongyōji Temple
This temple was called the ‘moon-viewing temple’ during the Edo period (1603-1868) and was popular among the cultured. A poem stone by haiku master Kobayashi Issa is here, as well as the grave of the Confucian scholar Ichikawa Kansai.
3Kyōōji Temple
After losing at the Battle of Ueno in 1868, members of Shōgitai (an elite corps of the shogunate) hid themselves at this temple, where they were confronted by troops from the new government. Bullet marks from the fighting can still be seen on the main gate.
4Fujimi-zaka Hill (slope for viewing Mt. Fuji)
Until recently, Fujimizaka was one of a number of hills in central Tokyo from which Mt. Fuji was visible. In 2004, the hill was selected as one of the best 100 spots in Kanto to see Mt. Fuji.
5Jōkōji Temple
Located on a small rise of land with a good view, the temple became known as a good spot for snow viewing.
6Suwa Jinja Shrine
A branch shrine of the Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano Prefecture dedicated to Takeminakatanomikoto, a deity in Japanese myths. Built in 1205, local residents believe that the shrine protects the Nippori and Yanaka area.
7Nishi-Nippori Park
This is a quiet park away from the nearby street bustle. The nice view from elevated parts of the neighborhood made this area a favorite relaxation spot since old times.
8Seiunji Temple
This temple, along with Shushōin Temple, is known for its many blossoms and is home to Ebisu, one of Yanaka’s Seven Gods of Fortune (Shichifukujin). The calligraphy pens and inkstones of Takizawa Bakin, author of the 18th century epic Nansō Satomi Hakkenden, a favorite Japanese adventure story even today, are enshrined in a corner beside the main hall.
9Shushōin Temple
This temple, along with Seiunji Temple, is known for its many blossoms. The grounds appear in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of Utagawa Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo series. The temple is home to the statue of Hotei, one of Yanaka’s Seven Gods of Fortune (Shichifukujin), probably Edo’s oldest Seven Gods. The temple receives many worshippers even today.
10Yūyake Dandan and Yanaka Ginza
The name Yūyake Dandan (Sunset Stairway) was decided by public poll and reflects its history as a popular spot to watch sunsets. At the bottom of the stairway is Yanaka Ginza, an old-fashioned shopping street that retains the bustle and warmth of old Tokyo. Look for the seven delightful wooden cat sculptures by students of Tokyo University of the Arts.
11Okakura Tenshin Memorial Park
The park sits on the former estate of Okakura Tenshin, a scholar instrumental in the development of Japanese modern art and author of seminal work The Book of Tea.
12Daienji Temple
The Shinto god Inari was enshrined here in the middle of the Edo period, making Daienji both a temple and a shrine, and was very popular as a place to pray for the cure of smallpox and skin diseases. It is also home to an itabi stone slab monument dedicated to ukiyo-e master Suzuki Harunobu and his muse, Osen, a tea-shop waitress considered to be one ‘Edo’s three beauties’ and featured in many of his prints. Every October, the temple holds a chrysanthemum festival.
13Zenshōan Temple
This temple was built by Yamaoka Tesshū (a samurai who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration) and is the resting place of rakugo master San’yūtei Enchō. Each August, the temple holds the Yanaka Enchō Festival with rakugo performances as well as an exhibition of its ghost scrolls by noted Edo-period artist Maruyama Ōkyo.
14Sansaki-zaka Hill
The name is said to derive from the three major hillside slopes of Komagome, Tabata and Yanaka. It is also called ‘Nodding Hill’ in reference to the Buddhist monks who used to live in the area, as they would nod their heads while walking.
15Tsuiji-bei wall of the Kannonji Temple
This unusual wall, a type of tsuijibei or roofed earthen wall, was built during the Edo period. It consists of alternating layers of tamped earth and tile topped with a tile roof.
16Goten-zaka Hill
Previously, there was a steep hill leading up to Yanaka called Gotenzaka. Much of it was leveled to build Nippori Station and JR railway lines, and only the top part of the slope remains. The name may possibly have come from the commoner’s term goinden, used to refer to the hermitage of Rinnōjimiya who was the chief priest of Kaneiji Temple.
17Zenshōji Temple
The temple is associated with the Tokugawa family since the mother of the sixth Tokugawa shogun was buried here. It is also home to a statue said to be from the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century) and the grave of the great sumo wrestler Futabayama.
18Tennōji Temple
Tennōji, one of Tokyo’s most famous temples, was established in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). The tomitsuki (lottery) established in the Edo period was very popular with residents and became the basis of Japan’s current takarakuji lottery.
19Daimyō Clock Museum
This museum is the only one in Japan exhibiting various Japanese clocks (turret clocks, grandfather clocks, pillow clocks, etc.), which were the exclusive domain of daimyō feudal lords. Visitors can get a close-up look at the superb design and craftsmanship of these antique timepieces.
20Miura-zaka Hill
This slope, which runs down to Nezu, was located in front of an estate under a feudal lord named Miura Shimanokami, and came to be known as Miurazaka.
21Shitamachi Museum Annex (The Former Yoshidaya Liquor Shop)
A Meiji-period sake shop was moved in its entirety to the museum grounds. The shop, designated as a Taito City folk cultural property, displays scales, casks, bottles and other items historically used by sake merchants.
22Jōmyōin Temple
Built in 1666, this temple is home to more than 20,000 jizō statues. An annual hechima (luffa) memorial service is held on August 15 of the lunar calendar to pray for relief from coughs or asthma, as hechima sap was once used to relieve coughs.
23Negishi Sanpeidō Museum
The memorial museum established in honor of Hayashiya Sanpei the first, a rakugo (comic storytelling) performer in the Showa period, who was called ‘Showa king of laughter.’ It exhibits his various belongings and memorabilia.
24Calligraphy Museum
The museum displays calligraphy-related antiques and archeological artifacts from Japan and China collected by Western-style painter and calligrapher Nakamura Fusetsu. The collection includes several important cultural properties and art treasures.
25Shikian House
Masaoka Shiki is considered the father of modern haiku. He held poetry readings and gatherings in the library of his home, Shikian, and through the support of friends, disciples, and mother and sister, was able to devote himself to creating innovative haiku and tanka poetry before dying at an early age.
26Nippori-Minami Park
Nippori-Minami Park has a large fountain that received a commendation from the Japanese government. The park is filled with evergreen trees and seasonal planted flowers, and comes alive with cherry blossoms in the spring.
27Commemorative Stone for Yūyake Koyake (Dai-ni Nippori Elementary School)
Nakamura Ukō, lyricist of one of Japan’s most famous children’s songs, Yūyake Koyake (Sunset Glow), was assigned to Dai-ni Nippori Elementary School in 1918 when he first became a teacher. He wrote the song in 1919 after transferring to Dai-san Nippori Elementary School.
28Nippori Fabric Town
All kinds of fabrics and textiles are available from the specialty shops that line both sides of this one kilometer shopping street. Furatto Nippori hosts the Nippori Fashion Design Contest to spread awareness of Nippori Fabric Town across Japan.
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