Old Meets Yumm Yanaka Friendly Food Tour with a Local Touch

The area of Tokyo called Yanaka is famously one of the most quaint and aged parts of the city. It was spared the Allied fire bombings during the WWII and survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and Fire of 1923. In the past, the area was a thriving artisan town housing some of the country’s most famous writers and visual artists.

Tennoji is the oldest of the numerous temples that dot the Yanaka area of Tokyo, and is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. It was founded in 1274 and now lies on the edge of Yanaka Cemetery overlooking Nippori Station.

Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises. The temple today is surrounded by a tasteful wall of modern design, enclosing its simple but beautifully landscaped grounds, the focal point being the large, several centuries-old, bronze Buddha.

The street is located approx 5 mins away from Nippori Station. At the approach to the shopping street, there is a well-known photo spot called “Yuyake Dandan” which is gentle sloped stairs where the charming view of the shopping street can be captured. It’s especially recommended to visit during sunset time.

Yanaka Cemetery (谷中霊園, Yanaka Reien) is a large cemetery located north of Ueno in Yanaka 7-chome, Taito, Tokyo, Japan. The Yanaka sector of Taito is one of the few Tokyo neighborhoods in which the old Shitamachi atmosphere can still be felt. The cemetery is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms that in April completely cover its paths, and for that reason that its central street is often called Cherry-blossom Avenue

The idea behind the gallery is that the visitor gets to feel the bowls and taste the drink as the Japanese masters of the tea ceremony would have wanted it – and at an affordable price. It’s art and history accessible to the masses.