Walking Tours of Yanaka - Tour 1

Yanaka, an old town in Tokyo

The Yanaka area 谷中 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. 

Yanaka Walking Tour 1 | Estimated time for the tour: 90 minutes

Nippori Station 日暮里駅

Start from the JR Nippori Station and use the NorthWest exit

Asakura Sculpture Hall 朝倉彫塑館

To tour around this hall, you need about 30 minutes or so.

The Tsukijibei fence of the Kannonji Temple 築地塀・感応寺

Walk straight along the road in front of the Asakura Sculpture Hall and then turn right at a small road. You will see a Japanese traditional fence that similar to a fence seen in Ninja movies.

Daienji and Zenshouan 大円寺・全生庵

If you keep walking down the narrow road you will see the Sansaki-zaka(slope). Turn right and go down the Sansaki-zaka. Along the Sansaki-zaka, you will see several beautiful temples. Zenshouan and Daienji are especially well known among of these temples. You will see Zenshouan and Daienji on the right side of Sansaki-zaka.

An area with many temples. 寺町

If you continue to walk along the Sansaki-zaka until you see a traffic light, you will see a primary school located on the left side. Go to the right and then, take a road on the left side of the school.

This is mainly a residential area, an area with many temples. Keep walking following the map. This area is so quiet and peaceful. Remember the road leading to the Kototoi Dori(Ave) on the map is really quite narrow and try not overlook this road. The landmark is a huge tree at the fork of the road.

Jomyoin Temple 浄名院

When you arrive at Kototoi Dori(Ave), you start to ascend a hilly area. Walking another 5 minutes or so, you will see Jomyoin Temple on the left side.

Yanaka Reien (Yanaka Cemetery Park) 谷中霊園

Go back along Kototoi Dori(Ave) 言問通り a little while and then turn right at the corner where an old traditional house is located. This old house is a special exhibit of Shitamachi Museum. The admission free and it t is a nice place to take a rest.

Straight up the hilly street, you will see the main street of Yanaka Reien on the left.

If you go down the main street, you will see a temple called Tenoji, the oldest temple in Yanaka. Yanaka Reien and the surrounding area used to belong to Tenoji and many people come from Yanaka to visit Tenoji in the Edo period. A lovely Buddha Statue is in this Tenoji Temple.

Go down a small road on the left side of Tenoji Temple and you arrive back at the South Exit of JR Nippori Station. End of Tour 1

Yanaka Contents

Yanaka - Top Page 
How to get to the Yanaka Neighbourhood
Yanaka - Cultural Attractions
Other sightseeing areas close to Yanaka

Walking Tours of Yanaka
Yanaka Tour 1 | Yanaka Tour 2 | Yanaka Tour 3 | Yanaka Tour 4(Shichifukujin)