Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Tokyo hotel reviews
Yanaka Cemetary is most famous as the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of Japan who was forced to resign and give up power to the Imperial Court. The Tokugawa graves are gated so that no one can vandalize them but you can still see them from the gates.
The graves of many other famous people can be found around the cemetary, as well, including Saint Nicholai who introduced the Orthodox faith to Japan and Tanaka Yoshio, founder of the Tokyo National Museum, Science Museum, and Ueno Zoo as well as other museums.
To find specific graves or simply make navigation easier, there is an information center on Sakura-dori Street where you can get maps in English and Japanese. The Japanese map has the names of famous people who are buried here written on the back along with their numbers but the English map has the numbers on the map without the names, so it's best to get both (or just the Japanese map) if there is a famous person you are looking for.
As one would expect, visiting is free.
Written Jan 8, 2012
Address: 7-5-24 Yanaka, Taito-ku
Phone: 033-821-4456
Helpfulness
Another itinery which can easily occupy a whole day is a trip to Ueno Park and the nearby old Tokyo areas of Yanaka, Nippori and Nezu.
To reach Ueno Park take the train to Ueno Station.
Ueno Park contains Ueno Zoo which I have never visited, but I do know it has pandas. It also has Tosho-gu Shrine which is a life-sized replica of the main temple shrine of Nikko. On our first visit there a Noh play was being staged in the grounds. Free-entry and worth a look.
The park also contains several water-lily covered ponds - Shinobazu Ponds and this area has a small temple to the goddess Benten - goddess of good fortune.
At the top of the hill not far from the Ueno Station entrance to the park there is a statue of a mighty samurai warrior taking his little dog for a walk.
Near Ueno Station before you enter the park you will also find a wonderful street market selling everything and anything, including lots of colourful food stalls.
There are several museums including the Tokyo National museum in this area.
If you exit the far end of the park, near the Tokyo National Museum, you can walk to the Yanaka, Nippori district. This area is the one of the few areas of Tokyo which survived the bombings of World War II. Wander aimlessly down winding lanes with traditional wooden houses and beautiful little temples set in idyllic Japanese Gardens. Or take a stroll through Yanaka cemetery.
Nearby Nezu has a beautiful 300 year old shrine with a fantastic azalea gardens and pathways lined with bright red tori. The azaleas are at their peak around April/May
Written May 15, 2010
Address: Taito-ku
Helpfulness
To find a relief from the fast paced life of Tokyo, make a diversion to low-key, low-rise Yanaka. It seems a world away from the skyscrapers and crowded streets of Shinjuku, Shibuya and other parts of Tokyo. Here you will find quiet temples and shrines, a large cemetery with a beautiful, park-like setting, and small shops for local goods and handicrafts.
Yanaka cemetery is large and picturesque, a popular place to take a walk amongst cherry trees. Many prominent citizens are buried here, such as the last Tokugawa shogun, Yoshinobu, who surrendered power to the emperor in 1868.
Yanaka Ginza is the area's main shopping street, a pedestrian zone with a good number of traditional businesses where you can find things like basketware, pottery and handbags. There are a few interesting little restaurants along the way also.
When you walk in Yanaka you will come across more shrines and temples than you will probably have time to see. Of interest is Tenno-ji temple, which was founded 500 years ago and has a large bronze Buddha that is over 300 years old.
Written May 3, 2008
Address: near Nippori station, on the Yamanote line
1 - 3 of 3
Sponsored Links
Park Hyatt Tokyo Tokyo
7 Reviews and 328 Opinions Most memorable
Grand Hyatt Tokyo Tokyo
4 Reviews and 229 Opinions This is a Grand Hyatt and while conventionally 'dependable' for a certain level of service, this...
Imperial Hotel Tokyo Tokyo
10 Reviews and 172 Opinions Can't honestly recommend this hotel to penny-pinchers as it can be very costly indeed, but quality...
Taito-ku
Yanaka district tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tokyo locals.
Write a ReviewTo find a relief from the fast paced life of Tokyo, make a diversion to low-key, low-rise Yanaka. It seems a world away from the skyscrapers and crowded streets...
749 members live in Tokyo
Q: Im quite confused on whether to get a 7 day JR pass or not. I'll be in Japan for 5 days 4 nights. 3 nights in Tokyo and 1...
A: The JR pass only covers JR trains (including commuter trains in Tokyo), but not the subway (there are two independent subway lines in Tokyo). You will likely use these...
Read 8 Replies
2
After a 10-hour journey....finally reach the 1st stop at Hakone. A nice scene forest area.A cloudy sky. Taking my 1st lunch at Japan about 11am and proceed to the field of Lavender. From here you can...
3
Tokyo is a wonderful city, but March 2011 is not an ideal time for a visit. The 9.0 earthquake on 3/11/11 has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks. Although the devastating tsunami primarily...
4
Tokyo - I love this place ! Old, New, & Happening
My first visit in August 2004 How do I even begin to describe Tokyo? Let me start with my first impressions: Screaming neon lights & skyscrapers, Crowded Train Stations (clean, tidy, no graffiti to...
5
I love Tokyo. I can't say it enough, I love the place. Yeah it has its bad side. Being a gaijin (a foreigner, and specifically a white western foreigner) in Tokyo can be rough. There is a bit of...
Build your own Tokyo page
Sponsored Links
