Yanaka

Leave Nippori Station, head towards the south exit and you'll also walk towards Yanaka.  This area is the oldest and most traditional area of Tokyo.  Yanaka survived the bombings of WWII, the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Fire of 1923.  This quaint part of Tokyo is now home to a diverse selection of Japanese handmade crafts.

http://trulytokyo.com/yanaka-tokyo-most-traditional-district/

Although Tokyo is mostly at the forefront of modern technology, Yanaka offers a glimpse into Japanese architecture of the past, along with the history of its people.

When first leaving Nippori Station we walked towards the Yanaka Cemetery.  Our private tour guide for the day explained the importance of the headstones and the history of the Cemetery as it was first established in 1874.  The last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, is laid to rest in the Yanaka Cemetery.

After leaving the cemetery we walked a block and stopped at a small Yanaka Temple.  Although this Temple is small and private, there are still bullet holes in the entrance gates that were from the conflict of the end of the Edo Period.

It always amazes me that in the middle of all the people, huge buildings and big city life of  Tokyo, you'll find the most beautiful Temple filled with the history of the Japanese people.

After leaving the temple, we walked further down and came to the entrance of the shopping street.

Here lies a narrow street lined with shops selling a variety of items including snacks, clothing, hair pins, toys and much more!

We also noticed open markets selling locally grown produce at very cheap prices.

Visit Yanaka from Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line and experience a taste of "Old Japan!"