Why don't we stroll through Tokyo's old neighborhoods together and enjoy the local cuisine along the way?
Yanaka is an old residential area centered around Yanaka Ginza, a traditional shopping street in Tokyo.
There are many shops selling food (called "sozai" in Japanese) that Tokyo locals enjoy for their daily dinner, and these are known to be attractive street food for travelers. There are also restaurants and cafes in this area where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine in old folk houses.
The food culture of old towns in Tokyo like Yanaka Ginza is popular among foreign tourists, and I think the reason is that all these shops are actually used by locals, allowing for a local experience through food.
In this article, I will introduce the latest information for 2024 on recommended local shops in Yanaka Ginza, focusing on street food you should try, as well as Japanese restaurants and cafes.
Why not immerse yourself in Yanaka's food culture that is woven into the daily lives of locals? As a Tokyo local myself, let me guide you through the delectable charms of Yanaka's cuisine!
Table of Contents
Reading this entire article will give you a good understanding of the food culture in the Yanaka Ginza area in 2024, but if you want to select the necessary information, please jump to the item of interest from the links below.
・7 Best Street Foods in Yanaka Ginza
This section explains the street food that is a specialty of this area.
・5 Restaurants and Cafes to Enjoy Japanese Cuisine in and around Yanaka Ginza
Although there are various restaurants in the Yanaka area, I particularly introduce restaurants and cafes where you can taste Japanese cuisine.
・3 Shops Where You Can Enjoy Japanese Sweets in Yanaka Ginza
I introduce shops where you can enjoy desserts made with Japanese ingredients and traditional Japanese sweets.
・4 Recommended Shops for Enjoying Japanese Sake in and around Yanaka Ginza
I introduce spots where you can enjoy sake, including Japanese sake. I also list places where you can drink during the day, not just at night.
・3 Unique Cafes in and around Yanaka Ginza
Although they do not offer traditional dishes or Japanese-style meals, I introduce unique cafes that I can recommend in this area.
・FAQ about Food in Yanaka Ginza
I explain the points of concern when enjoying the food culture in this area.
Related article
・Yanaka Ginza Guide: Experience the Local Life in Tokyo's Old Neighborhood
This article comprehensively introduces various information about Yanaka Ginza, including its food. If you want to enjoy not only the local cuisine but also the tourist spots in this area, be sure to check it out.
7 Best Street Foods in Yanaka Ginza
First, let me introduce the street food, which is the biggest attraction of Yanaka Ginza's food culture in 2024. Many of the shops selling street food open around 10:00 AM, and I personally recommend using the fried food shops for a light breakfast.
Niku no Sato: Juicy Menchi Katsu
Source: Tabelog by a_monary
"Sato" is a shop that offers Japanese delicatessen "sozai". The "sozai" that local people in Yanaka buy for their daily meals is popular as street food for tourists.
It is a store known for its delicious menchi katsu (ground meat cutlet) made with Japanese meat. Other fried dishes such as croquettes and karaage are also sold at low prices of 100 to 300 yen.
It's a shop with juicy street food that makes you want to eat a lot, but there are many other foods I want you to try in Yanaka Ginza, so be careful not to overeat!
<Store Information>
Address: 3-13-2 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-3821-1764
Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Website: https://www.yanakaginza.com/
(Available in Japanese Only)
Yanaka Shippo-ya: Sweets in the Shape of a Cat's Tail
Source: Tabelog by ykh110389
Yanaka Ginza is also known as a town that loves cats, and there are many cat-related stores, especially on the shopping street.
This "Shippo-ya" is a unique store in Yanaka Ginza where you can eat donuts shaped like a cat's tail.
"Shippo" means "tail". About 13 types of donuts with various flavors and appearances are sold, so you can find your favorite cat "tail" donut.
Prices vary depending on the design and flavor, but you can purchase one for 100-140 yen, so I recommend trying a few.
Each donut has a name, and my personal recommendation is the tiger-patterned "tora" which is so cute that I feel reluctant to eat it!
<Store Information>
Address: 3-11-12 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 03-3822-9517
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Open until 7:00 PM on weekends and holidays)
Website: https://www.yanakaginza.com/ (Available in Japanese Only)
Yakiya: Snacks Using Squid
Source: Tabelog by Wakameshi
This is a shop where you can enjoy "ikayaki", a street food dish using squid. It is a snack that is often sold at summer festivals, but in Yanaka Ginza, you can eat it all year round.
I also like the "ikasen" at this store, which is ikayaki sandwiched between a slightly hard dough (called "senbei" in Japanese). "Ikasen" cannot be taken out and can only be purchased for eat-in.
Ikayaki costs around 260-300 yen, and ikasen costs 350 yen. Plain ikayaki is delicious, but I personally recommend the one with mayonnaise.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-11-15 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 090-1313-9999
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Website: https://twitter.com/ikayakiyakiya
Yanaka Senbei Shinsendo: Enjoying Traditional Baked Sweets
Source: Tabelog
At "Shinsendo", where you can enjoy the Japanese rice cracker "senbei", senbei baked in-store are provided. Various senbei are sold, from plain senbei to sweet senbei sprinkled with sugar, and those using chili peppers and shrimp.
Not only myself, but many Japanese people often buy senbei sold in supermarkets and department stores, so a handmade senbei shop like this in a neighborhood is very precious even from a Japanese perspective. In the past, there were many senbei shops in shopping streets, but...
Of course, you can eat the senbei on the spot, and as long as you are careful about humidity, you can also take them home as souvenirs since they keep well. Each senbei can be purchased for about 130 yen.
<Store Information>
Address: 7-18-18 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 03-3821-6421
Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/谷中せんべい/100057469539126/
Yanaka Manten Donuts: Donut Shop with a Wide Variety
The feature of this shop is that you can enjoy about 8 kinds of regular donuts and seasonal limited-edition donuts.
The donuts are priced at around 250 yen each, which is easy to try, so I recommend enjoying several flavors.
Not only can you enjoy them as street food, but you can also take them out and eat them at your hotel, or eat them with drinks at the cafe on the second floor.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-8-12 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 03-3824-7624
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Website: https://yanakamanten-donuts.com/
Koshizuka: Wide Variety of Meat Street Food
Source: Koshizuka Official Site
"Koshizuka", located very close to Yanaka Ginza shopping street, is an extremely famous butcher shop. It can be called a renowned shop that people visit from all over Tokyo. The street food using their proud Japanese beef is popular here.
You can enjoy skewers, hot dogs, croquettes, menchi katsu, etc. made with juicy meat.
Each item is a bit pricey for street food at around 400-500 yen, but the freshly fried hot dog is especially satisfying and is my recommendation.
Also, I personally feel that the corned beef is actually exquisite. However, it is not suitable for eating while walking.
If you are interested, I recommend buying it back to your hotel and enjoying it with beer or sake purchased at a convenience store. It's wonderful!
<Store Information>
Address: 3-43-11 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0022
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-3821-9124
Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Website: http://www.koshizuka.jp/ (Available in Japanese Only)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sendagi.koshizuka/
X: https://twitter.com/sendagikoshi
Guruguru Gelato: Rich Sweets Using Hokkaido Milk
Source: Guruguru Gelato Official Website
At this store, you can enjoy gelato made with ingredients delivered from a farm in Hokkaido, Japan's top milk-producing region.
Hokkaido is the northernmost prefecture in Japan, and its high-quality milk is well-known even among Tokyo residents. It's great that you can enjoy the rich flavor of gelato made with that milk in Yanaka Ginza, Tokyo, without having to go all the way to Hokkaido by plane!
In addition to milk-flavored gelato where you can enjoy the taste of the ingredients, Japanese-style gelato such as sesame flavor is also offered. I personally would like you to try the matcha flavor.
Gelato can be purchased for 450 yen for a single and 600 yen for a double, and is especially recommended for eating while walking during the warmer seasons.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-13-3 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Thursdays
Phone: Unavailable
Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Website: https://guruguru-gelato.com/
(Available in Japanese Only)
5 Restaurants and Cafes to Enjoy Japanese Cuisine in and around Yanaka Ginza
This area has not only street food but also restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine such as soba noodles. In cafes renovated from old folk houses, you can enjoy delicious meals while being surrounded by a retro atmosphere.
Soba Azegami: A Place to Taste Soba in Yanaka Ginza
"Soba" is a noodle dish loved by the common people in Tokyo for a long time.
"Azegami" is a "soba" restaurant that is easily accessible in the middle of the shopping street. You can enjoy handmade soba made in-store for about 700 yen per bowl.
During lunchtime, a popular menu item is a set of a bowl topped with tempura or pork cutlet and soba at a reasonable price. Lunchtime tends to get crowded, so if you want to use it without waiting too long, I recommend visiting at the opening time.
It is open until 9:00 PM, so I personally recommend using it after the evening to avoid the crowds.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-11-11 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Mondays (closed every other Tuesday)
Phone: 03-5815-8710
Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last order 8:30 PM)
Details: https://www.yanakaginza.com/
(Available in Japanese Only)
TAYORI: Healthy Set Meals (Teishoku)
Source: TAYORI Official Website
This is a cafe where you can enjoy traditional Japanese set meals (teishoku) for around 1,500 yen in a retro wooden building.
"Teishoku" consists of rice, miso soup, main dish, and side dish, and is popular among locals as a healthy and balanced meal.
Lunchtime tends to be particularly crowded, so keep in mind that it may take a little time to enter the store. It is available from Wednesday to Saturday until 8:00 PM, so it is also recommended for a healthy dinner. If you have dinner, you can also avoid the crowds like during lunchtime!
<Store Information>
Address: 3-12-4 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Phone: 03-5834-7026
Hours: Wed-Sat 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Sun/Holidays until 6:00 PM)
Website: https://hagiso.com/tayori/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayori_yanaka/
Yamagishi: Japanese Eel Cuisine
Source: Tabelog
At "Yamagishi" near the shopping street, you can enjoy traditional Japanese eel cuisine.
Eel is an ingredient that the common people of Tokyo have loved very much for a long time. There are probably few Tokyo residents who dislike “unaju” or “unadon”, which is grilled eel coated with sweet sauce served over rice.
However, as a result of overfishing, eel has now become a luxury ingredient in Japan. It is not uncommon for it to cost more than 3,000 yen. However, at this store, a wide variety of eel dishes are offered at various price ranges from the 1,000 yen range to the 3,000 yen range.
I personally feel that the bowl-style "unaju" allows you to savor the eel the most, so I recommend it.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-13-9 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 03-3827-5763
Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Website: Unavailable
Risaku: Cafe Where You Can Enjoy Onigiri
Source: Risaku Official Website
"Risaku", located right next to Sendagi Station, the closest station to the shopping street, is a cafe where you can enjoy delicious onigiri (rice balls).
You can purchase onigiri individually, but what I recommend the most is the set menu. You can enjoy a meal in a "teishoku" format where miso soup and side dishes are included with the onigiri.
Onigiri cost 150-250 yen each, and set menus can be eaten for 700 yen.
Onigiri is a light meal that represents Japan, with a low price and easy to carry, and is perfect for breakfast or picnics.
It opens at 9:00 AM, so if you are exploring Yanaka early in the morning, please try using it for breakfast.
<Store Information>
Address: 2-31-6 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-5834-7292
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Official Website: https://www.risaku-tokyo.com
Nezu Kamachiku: Udon Cuisine and a Beautiful Garden
Source: Kamachiku Official Website
"Udon" is a traditional noodle dish along with "soba". While "soba" is made from buckwheat flour, udon uses wheat flour as its main ingredient and has a thicker noodle with more substance than soba.
Although it is a little far from the shopping street, if you want to taste Japanese cuisine in Yanaka Ginza, I also recommend the udon specialty restaurant "Kamachiku" near Nezu Station.
This is a restaurant renovated from a building constructed more than 100 years ago, and seats are provided where you can enjoy udon while viewing a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
It is a shop with a high-class feel, but udon can be enjoyed at a low price of 850-1,000 yen for a single item. In addition to this, a luxurious course meal can also be ordered for 5,500 yen.
The scenery of the garden changes with the seasons. My personal favorite is the garden where you can enjoy the autumn foliage.
<Store Information>
Address: 2-14-18 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Phone: 03-5815-4675
Hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM / 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Website: https://kamachiku.com/
Related Articles
・Discover Yanaka Ginza: Best cafes and restaurants for lunch
This article introduces the most recommended restaurants for lunch in the Yanaka area.
・Tasty Breakfast in Yanaka Ginza
Many shops in Yanaka Ginza shopping street are closed early in the morning, but this article introduces places where you can eat breakfast in the surrounding areas.
3 Shops Where You Can Enjoy Japanese Sweets in Yanaka Ginza
In Yanaka Ginza, you can enjoy unique Japanese sweets and traditional desserts. What is particularly attractive is that sweets that are generally limited to certain seasons can be eaten here all year round.
Waguriya Yanaka Store: Offering Chestnut Desserts
Source: Google Map
This is a store where you can eat sweets made with Japanese chestnuts. Cakes such as Mont Blanc are especially popular.
Chestnuts have been used as an ingredient for sweets in Japan for a long time. Mont Blanc is often sold in Japan in autumn, but at Waguriya, you can eat it anytime, so it is a famous store among Mont Blanc lovers in Tokyo.
Each menu item is a bit pricey at around 1,200 to 2,000 yen, but most of the items come with roasted tea, so I feel it is reasonable.
It is easy to stop by as it is located in the middle of the shopping street, so please try it when visiting Yanaka Ginza.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-9-14 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Mondays
Phone: Unavailable
Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Website: https://www.waguriya.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waguriya/
Yanaka Kenshindo: Enjoying Japanese Jelly (Anmitsu)
Source: Yanaka Kenshindo
Here you can enjoy "anmitsu", a traditional Japanese jelly dessert.
Anmitsu is a dessert where jelly called agar is topped with red bean paste, mochi, etc. It is a very Japanese-like dessert, and its refreshing appearance is loved by local people.
At "Yanaka Kenshindo", you can enjoy seasonal anmitsu and Japanese tea. I personally recommend having matcha and anmitsu as a set. You can order a set of tea and anmitsu for around 1,000 yen.
This cafe has a souvenir shop attached, where you can purchase unique Japanese sundries such as cute cat mascots.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-11-15 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Weekdays
Phone: 03-4283-5200
Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Instagram: https://www.yanaka-kenshindo.com/
Himitsudo: Shaved Ice That Can Be Eaten Even in Winter
Source: Google Map
"Kakigori", a traditional Japanese summer dessert where shaved ice is eaten with syrup poured over it. However, in Yanaka Ginza, you can eat this shaved ice all year round.
At "Himitsudo", luxurious shaved ice using seasonal fruits for summer (May to October) and winter (November to April) is offered. I especially recommend the melon-flavored shaved ice, which is often sold in the summer.
It may feel expensive at around 1,500 yen for one, but the large serving of shaved ice is sure to satisfy you when you eat it.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-11-18 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays
Phone: 03-3824-4132
Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: http://himitsudo.com/
X: https://twitter.com/himitsuno132
4 Recommended Shops for Enjoying Japanese Sake in and around Yanaka Ginza
There are few shops open late at night in the shopping street, but in the surrounding area, there are shops where you can enjoy Japanese sake and local beer.
Yanaka Beer Hall: Enjoy Yanaka Original Beer
Source: Google Map
In this retro-atmosphere store renovated from an old folk house, you can enjoy Yanaka area original beer for 1,100 yen per glass.
There are several types of "Yanaka Beer", and a tasting set is also available. Local Japanese pubs often open in the evening, but this store is open for a long time from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, making it easy to use and recommended.
It is located near "Yanaka Cemetery", a tourist spot in the Yanaka Ginza area, so it is recommended to stop by when you go to the cemetery.
<Store Information>
Address: 2-15-6 Uenosakuragi, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0002
Closed: Mondays
Phone: Unavailable
Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanakabeerhall/
CRAFT SAKE STAND Yanaka Junmai-ya: Enjoy Various Kinds of Local Sake
This store on the shopping street offers local sake from all over Japan along with snacks. If you want to try various Japanese sake, it is a store you definitely want to visit.
Local spots in Tokyo where you can enjoy sake (called "izakaya" in Japanese) can be difficult for non-locals to enter, but this place has an open atmosphere and is easy for travelers to enter.
In 2024, it will become a specialty store for shaved ice (a Japanese summer dessert) during the summer (5/11~9/29).
During this period, mainly shaved ice will be offered, but you can still enjoy sake from various regions as before.
<Store Information>
Address: 2F, 3-11-11 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Closed: Weekdays
Phone: 03-5809-0195
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanaka_junmaiya/
HAYASHI-ya: Pub with a Traditional Japanese Atmosphere
Source: HAYASHIYA Official Website
Located very close to Nippori Station on the east side of Yanaka Ginza shopping street, this spot is a pub ("izakaya") where you can feel the traditional Japanese atmosphere.
With a small number of tables and counter seats, when I see the cozy interior where locals gather, I feel a sense of comfort as if I have returned to my hometown. It is recommended for travelers who want to experience a more local izakaya in the Yanaka area.
Drinks are around 400-500 yen per glass, and dishes such as sashimi and grilled items are offered for about 500-700 yen, as well as yakitori that can be enjoyed for about 150 yen per skewer.
I recommend having sashimi dishes made with fresh fish with sake, but there are also many grilled items such as skewered chicken and rolled eggs that can be tried even by those who cannot eat raw fish.
<Store Information>
Address: 5-49-6 Higashinippori, Arakawa City, Tokyo 116-0014
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-6806-5921
Hours: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Website: https://hayashiya.foodre.jp/
(Available in Japanese Only)
Akira: Spacious Shop to Enjoy Hot Pot Dishes and Sake
Source: Akira Official Website
"Akira" is an izakaya beloved by local people near Sendagi Station on the west side of the shopping street, offering a wide variety of Japanese sake and shochu.
Not only sashimi dishes using raw fish that Japanese people love, but also many hot pot dishes and grilled fish are offered, making it an easy-to-use store even for those who are not good with raw fish. Hot pot course meals are available for 3,500 yen or 4,400 yen per person, including sashimi and grilled fish, making it a good deal. Drinks can be enjoyed for about 600-800 yen per glass.
Local izakayas are often not very spacious, but in addition to counter seats, Akira's interior has a spacious table seating area, making it easy to use even for families of 4-5 people traveling. When I visit Yanaka Ginza with a few friends, I often drink here.
<Store Information>
Address: 3 Chome-38-8 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0022
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-3828-3435
Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Instagram: https://www.sendagi-osakana.com/
(Available in Japanese Only)
Related Articles
・11 Izakayas to Visit on Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street
This article focuses on the local pubs ("izakayas") in the Yanaka Ginza area, introducing 11 izakayas.
3 Unique Cafes in and around Yanaka Ginza
So far, I have mainly introduced shops where you can enjoy street food and Japanese cuisine, but there are also unique and novel shops in Yanaka Ginza. If you are looking for particularly photogenic cafes, why not visit such cafes?
Cafe Neko-e-mon: Make Your Own Lucky Cat (Maneki Neko)
Source: Cafe Neko-e-mon Official Website
The most unique point of this cafe using an old folk house is that you can experience painting your own "maneki neko".
The gesture of a cat washing its face has long been believed to be a gesture that brings good fortune. This gesture is called "maneki neko", and ornaments in the shape of a beckoning cat are especially loved by Japanese people wishing for success in business.
"Neko-e-mon" is a place unique to Yanaka Ginza, the "town of cats", where you can create your own maneki neko, and is recommended for travelers who want to get a handmade souvenir.
Drinks and food are also made with cats in mind, and can be eaten with drinks for around 700-800 yen. The painting experience is an additional fee, 1,620 yen for a small maneki neko and 2,160 yen for a large one.
There is also a shop attached that sells maneki neko made by designers, so it is recommended to get ideas there before trying the painting experience.
<Store Information>
Address: 5-4-2 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-3821-0090
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Website: https://yanakado.com/c_nekoemon.html
Yadorigi: Cafe Where You Can Interact with Cats
Source: Yadori Gi Official Website
This cafe with real cats in the store can be used for 1 hour for 1,200 yen including one drink. The cats here were originally pet cats but were protected after they could not return home, so they are called "rescued cats".
Although Yanaka Ginza is called a "cat town", it seems that opportunities to meet real cats in the middle of town are decreasing. At Yadorigi, you can actually interact with cats, so it's a cafe that cat lovers will be very satisfied with!
Please note that you may be denied entry if you have interacted with stray cats just before, in order to prevent infectious diseases in the rescued cats.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-15-1 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Monday or Tuesday
Phone: 03-5809-0864
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Website: https://www.yadorigicafe.com/
Related Article
・Best Cat Cafes and Shops for Cat Lovers in Yanaka Ginza
An article where you can learn about cat-related cafes and shops in Yanaka Ginza.
HAGI CAFE: Old Folk House Cafe Built 68 Years Ago
Source: HAGI CAFE Official Website
This is a cafe renovated from a retro old folk house in a quiet residential area.
The menu is not offered as something uniquely Japanese, but you can enjoy coffee, sweets, and breakfast in the morning. The popular parfait can be ordered for 1,100 yen, and the set-style breakfast for about 1,200 yen.
There is a gallery attached where you can see the works of young Japanese artists.
Although Japanese cuisine and traditional sweets are not offered, the retro exterior is attractive, and I personally think it is a spot I want you to visit even just to take pictures.
<Store Information>
Address: 1F HAGISO, 3-10-25 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: None
Phone: 03-5832-9808
Hours: 08:00 AM - 10:30 AM / 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Open until 8:00 PM on weekends and holidays)
Website: https://hagiso.com/hagiso/
FAQ about Food in Yanaka Ginza
Finally, let me share some common questions and answers about food in Yanaka Ginza.
Are there any precautions when visiting shops?
Most restaurants and cafes have a last order 30 minutes before closing, so if you visit just before closing time, there is a high possibility that you will not be able to eat. It is safe to arrive at the store at least 1 hour before closing time.
Are there any seasonal limited foods?
During the New Year's festival period, sweets using "mochi", a food that represents the Japanese New Year, are sold at stalls. In 2024, this festival was held from January 7th to 8th. Shaved ice stalls also appear at summer festivals, but at "Himitsudo", which I introduced in this article, you can eat shaved ice all year round.
Can credit cards be used at restaurants?
Many local stores in the shopping street do not accept credit cards. To fully enjoy the food culture of Yanaka Ginza, it is safe to have about 1,000-2,000 yen per person in cash for using street food, and about 5,000 yen per person if you also use restaurants and cafes.
At street food shops, large bills may not be preferred, so it is recommended to have 1,000 yen bills ready.
If you order sake and course meals at an izakaya, it may be a good idea to have an additional 10,000 yen ready.
Are there any tours that allow you to efficiently go around Yanaka Ginza?
Two major tours are offered in the Yanaka Ginza area. As it is often difficult to communicate in English on site, if you want to enjoy Yanaka Ginza efficiently without feeling the language barrier, it is recommended to use a tour.
"Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town" by Magical Trip
Source: Magical Trip
This is a 3.5-hour tour provided by us, Magical Trip, where you can enjoy Nezu Shrine, a historical spot in the Yanaka Ginza area, local galleries, shopping streets, and the cafe where you can experience cat painting that I introduced in this article. Rather than going around here and there, I would like to recommend it to those who want to enjoy each spot thoroughly while talking with a local Japanese guide.
Click here for more details: "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town"
"Yanaka Walking Tour The Old Quarter of Tokyo" by Tokyo Localized
Source: Tokyo Localized
This is a 3-hour tour where you can visit 3 historical spots: Nezu Shrine, Yanaka Cemetery, and Tennoji Temple, in addition to the shopping street. It also stops by Yanaka Beer Hall. Although the time spent at each spot is not so long, it is recommended for those who want to visit famous spots all at once.
Click here for more details: "Yanaka Walking Tour The Old Quarter of Tokyo"
Yanaka Ginza is a traditional shopping street that has been cherished in Tokyo for many years. In this article, I, as a Tokyo local, introduced the attractive street food, Japanese restaurants utilizing old folk houses, and cafes that you can enjoy there.
I believe that the reason why Yanaka's food culture is popular among foreign tourists is that the shops are all those that local people use on a daily basis. The charm is that you can have a local experience through food, not in a touristy atmosphere, but in a real downtown setting.
When you visit Tokyo in 2024, please make sure to stop by Yanaka Ginza. If you enjoy the ambiance of the old-fashioned shopping street while savoring delicious cuisine, I am sure that it will become a wonderful memory.