Tokyo: Shitamachi "Low City" 下町

This is as close to a small-town feel as it gets while still inside of the huge metropolitan city- Shitamachi that literally translates to "low city". Not only it represents a rustic, low architectural style but it also represents a certain type of population. In the olden days the Shitamachi was referred to the part of town where people with lower income and - status, in other words, the working class, lived and ran their daily businesses. Until today it's been more or less the case, and a certain division between the upper class areas (also known as Yamanote) and the Shitemachi still remains, but in way less distinct way than before. The changes in the structure of the original population have nowadays more to do with economical- and ideological changes rather than just involuntary and conservative class division. 

The narrow little streets of Yanaka represent a typical Shitemachi area. It's got a centralised small business neighbourhood and many labyrinthine alleys that are purely residential- and walking down these streets, you can truly sense the quaint and authentic way of life here. Also, the little Buddhist temples with gardens and remaining buildings from the Edo period are a common sight here, not to mention the prominent Yanaka cemetery. Just a short walk away is the big Ueno park, which is not only popular for its sakura (cherry blossom) but it also hosts many significant museums, religious buildings, a zoo and recreational areas. Its proximity to the Ueno station makes it an "easy" destination to get in and out, and it's got many restaurants and shops just around it. Or if the weather allows, like it did to us, why not do a picnic in the park! 

I'd say all in all, strolling around Yanaka and the Ueno park is a great experience if you're interested in seeing local people going on about their days and getting some kind of perspective of the more peaceful and alternative Tokyo. Here's a look at the things we saw while wandering through the district...

 YANAKA 谷中

UENO PARK 上野公園

{All pictures © Voyages of Discovery}