Taito City Culture Guide Book
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Stroll in Yanaka
Published : January, 2007

谷中へび道


Colorful curbstones along the "Yanaka Hebi-michi," or the Yanaka serpentine road

The Yanaka Hebi-michi meanders through the town like a snake as the name implies. Curbstones are placed along narrow alleys, and potted plants, which are placed in front of old one-storied wooden houses, give a relaxed atmosphere. Once people wander into these alleys, they would go back to several decades ago and ramble in a nostalgic scene as if they are swallowed by a snake.


guide map

芸術のまち、谷中界隈

The Yanaka area is adjacent to Ueno Park in which Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music, Tokyo National Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum are located. From old times to the present, many art students and artists have lived in this area. There are many art supply stores, which handle painting brushes, artists' colors and picture mounting, along shopping streets. Art galleries scattered around the area are also pleasures during a stroll. Yanaka is a temple town located in the vicinity of Kaneiji Temple. Small temples stand quietly along with town houses. Trees are planted, and potted plants are placed in front of the temples' gates, adding rich greenery to the town. You can admire austere gates of the temples while looking at shiny hues of ripe citrus fruits and pomegranates. (Yanaka, Taito City)

Yanaka 1

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Taito City Culture Guide Book