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Low down and dirty in Tokyo’s Shitamachi
Tokyo’s “Shita-machi” or low town was, during the Edo period, the area located outside of the castle walls where the city’s merchants and traders lived. Even today, the character of the area is quite different to the rest of the city retaining an earthy lived in character without the many high-rises and glitzy department stores as found in areas such as Shinjuku and Ginza. Asakusa was once the capital’s entertainment district hosting theatre and musical performances and was the trend setting centre of the city.
This itinerary starts at Ueno station and ends at Asakusa Station.
Ueno Station -- Shitamachi Museum -- Ameyoko-cho -- Kappa Bashi -- Nakamise -- Sensoji Temple -- Dembo-in -- Asakusa Station |
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Shitamachi Museum |
| The museum has replicas of shops and tenement buildings reminiscent of old Edo as well as a collection of daily utensils and old toys. The museum is very hands-on and visitors can play with the traditional toys and see demonstrations of crafts. The museum is located behind the station on the edge of the Shinobazu Pond.
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Ameyoko-cho (sweet store alley) |
| Ame-yoko-Cho is a busy market street along the Yamanote line tracks between Okachimachi and Ueno Station and was the site of the black market after World War Two. The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "America", because a lot of American products were available on the black market. Nowadays, the market sells an eclectic range of products including fresh fish, fruit, shoes and clothing and is also a great place for fake-branded goods!
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Kappa Bashi |
| This street is lined with stores selling everything you could ever want for the kitchen. Head to Kappabashi for knives, bowls, plates, seating cushions, chopsticks and plastic food as seen in almost all Japanese restaurants.
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Nakamise |
| This warren of shops lines the passage up to the Senso-ji and nowadays is a treasure trove of souvenirs and snacks.
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Senso-ji Temple |
| The entrance to Tokyo’s most famous shrine is marked by the Kaminarimon (thunder gate) which is flanked on either side by the gods of wind and rain (Fujin and Raijin respectively). The main building within the temple complex is the Kannondo hall which houses the principal image of the Kannon. |
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Dembo-in |
| Asakusa’s best kept secret! The Dembo-in gardens are located to the left of the temple precinct and an entrance pass can be obtained from the temple office to the left of the 5 storey pagoda. The gardens were founded in the 17th century by a, later famous, zen garden designer. Few people visit so the gardens are always serene and peaceful.
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