Yanaka & Yanesen Audio Guide

Welcome to Yanaka & Yanesen

Welcome to Yanesen. Yanesen is an affectionate nickname bundling together three towns — Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi. Just north of Ueno's hill, right in the middle of Tokyo, yet a district where time somehow flows slowly. There are no high-rises, no great intersections. What there is: gentle slopes, winding alleys, and old wooden houses. Walk the beloved shopping street and you'll find old-fashioned shops that hand you your goods across the counter and delis with dishes still steaming; at dusk, the chatter of shoppers and shopkeepers rings out lively. In the alleys, you may meet a cat basking in the sun. This town was fortunate enough to escape the great fires of war, keeping to this day the old downtown way of life and the quiet air of its many temples. For locals, it is a warm place to live, where neighborly ties are still alive. For travelers, it is a special walking path where you can meet the everyday Tokyo just as it is. For the next little while, let's trace the story this town has walked. Let's begin with why this old downtown streetscape survived here — with its history.