Lost in Tokyo's Cat Town

History of Yanesen area

Since their formation, much of the Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi areas have escaped the ravages of war, fire, or other natural disasters. Yanesen is part of the shitamachi (city center) area. Historically, these areas were very poor, and the residents belonged to the lower classes. Nevertheless, Yanesen attracts tourists because it is one of the few places in Tokyo that still retains the atmosphere of an old city.

Quang cảnh lối vào Yanaka từ cầu thang phía đông — View of the Yanaka entrance from the east staircase.

Tokyo's Cat Town

To this day, it remains unexplained why so many stray cats choose Yanaka as their home. However, one hypothesis is that they are attracted by the high density of trees and temples in the area. Whatever the reason, the local people are very fond of and welcome them, even pressuring the local government to include more cat images on their district flag.

Những mặt hàng mèo được bán dọc khu phố Yanaka Ginza — Cat-themed items are sold along the Yanaka Ginza street.

Here, you'll find countless plates already filled with food and makeshift shelters for cats, even scattered throughout the bustling Yanaka Ginza shopping district. But it's worth noting that it's not just full of stray cats. Businesses here have long invested in a well-known area dedicated to cats. Dessert shops, cat-themed merchandise, and souvenirs can easily be found along the Yanaka Ginza street.

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the cats' stroll

Intelligent cats tend to seek out food, and they also dislike crowds. You'll mostly see them wandering on the steps at the east entrance to Yanaka Ginza or receiving food from locals – although this is not recommended. Yanaka Cemetery is also a good place to spot cats because it has a large wooded area for them to take shelter in.

Những con mèo — The cats are "permanent residents" of Yanaka Cemetery.

maneki-ya

If you're both a cat lover and have a sweet tooth, you absolutely must visit Maneki-ya. This shop sells Taiyaki – a type of waffle-like pastry filled with sugar and adzuki bean paste. These pastries are often known in the shape of a fish, but at Maneki-ya, they're also shaped like Maneki-neko cats, a symbol of good luck in Japan. Besides the bean paste filling, they also serve Taiyaki with beef stew or strawberry jelly with cream cheese filling.

Seven Lucky Cats

If you look closely, you'll notice seven cat statues scattered around the Yanaka Ginza area, placed in various locations. Looking higher, you'll find at least one perched on the roof of a cat-themed shop. These cat statues were created in 2008 with the intention of bringing good luck and happiness to passersby.

Những chú mèo gỗ được đặt trên đường phố Yanaka — Wooden cat figurines are placed on the streets of Yanaka.

The charm of Yanesen

Yanesen is home to numerous craft shops and other family-run small businesses, so long-standing traditions are still well-preserved in Yanaka. The old-world architecture and atmosphere also make the area a perfect cultural hub, encompassing art galleries, museums, and historical sites.

Bảo tàng điêu khắc Asakura ở Yanaka — Asakura Sculpture Museum in Yanaka

The temples in Yanesen

Yanesen is home to a large number of temples scattered throughout the area, mostly Buddhist temples. There are so many that even with all your effort, you couldn't possibly visit them all in a single day. The most famous among them are Tennoji Temple, Nezu Shine, and Kannon Temple – which features a monument commemorating the samurai.