Yanaka

Yanaka is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Tokyo.  It is part of an area called the shitamachi (literally "low city"), which is not only a physically low area but an area that was inhabited by the lower classes during the Edo period (1603-1867). This area wasn't as badly damaged as many parts of Tokyo in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and the firebombing during World War II. It used to be an old temple town so there are temples everywhere. 

 I liked this neighborhood a lot since it has a very different feel from most of the touristy areas of Tokyo, which move at a pretty frenetic pace. It was lovely for a Saturday stroll. Note all the snow that is still remaining almost a week after the big snowstorm on Coming of Age Day.

Yanaka ginza pedestrian shopping street

Remaining snow

Maneki-neko (beckoning cat)--raised left paw brings customers and raised right paw brings wealth

Traditional shop

Old temple and new highrise

Temple cat

This building had a camel and a robot on top. Why not? :)

Old earthen and tile wall from the Edo period 

Old Tokyo House

New Tokyo apartments and matching bike

View of the Skytree at dusk