We stop at a bridge near Nippori Station, often nicknamed the “Nippori Train Museum.”

From this viewpoint, you can see many railway lines at once, with a constant flow of trains passing below.

JR commuter trains, express trains, freight trains, and even the Shinkansen can sometimes be seen from this spot, making it a fun stop for both train enthusiasts and photographers.

We walk through Hatsune Koji, a small nostalgic alley located near Yanaka Ginza. This narrow lane preserves the atmosphere of Tokyo’s old downtown (shitamachi) and is lined with small traditional shops and cozy local bars.

The alley dates back to the early 20th century and still retains the charm of postwar Tokyo. In the evening, the warm lights of the small eateries and bars create a nostalgic scene that feels like stepping back in time.

Hatsune Koji is a hidden corner of Yanaka where visitors can experience the quiet, local side of Tokyo away from the busy tourist streets.

At the Asakura Museum of Sculpture, you can enjoy a unique building with a beautiful Japanese garden, designed by its owner, the artist Fumio Asakura (1883-1964).

One of the rooms has a special Japanese lacquered floor called urushi. To protect the floor, visitors are required to wear socks, so please do not join the tour barefoot.

We stroll along Yanaka Ginza, a nostalgic shopping street that preserves the atmosphere of Tokyo’s traditional downtown (shitamachi). The street is lined with small local shops selling street food, snacks, and handmade goods.

Yanaka Ginza is a great place to experience everyday local life and try popular Japanese treats such as croquettes, rice crackers, and seasonal sweets. Visitors can enjoy browsing the shops while tasting local flavors.

At the entrance to the street is Yuyake Dandan, a famous staircase known as one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The view from the top of the stairs has become a symbol of the nostalgic charm of Yanaka.

We walk through Yanaka Cemetery, a quiet and historic cemetery known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees. During spring, the long central path is lined with sakura, creating one of the hidden cherry blossom spots in Tokyo.

This peaceful area also reflects the history and culture of old Tokyo. The cemetery is home to the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo period.

While walking along the tree-lined paths, we can enjoy the seasonal scenery and experience the calm atmosphere of Yanaka, a district that survived the air raids of World War II.

We stroll through Nippori Fabric Town, a lively shopping street famous for fabrics and sewing materials. Stretching about one kilometer from Nippori Station, the area is lined with more than 80 shops selling colorful fabrics, buttons, ribbons, and traditional Japanese textiles.

Originally developed as a wholesale district, many professional designers and craft lovers visit here to find high-quality fabrics at reasonable prices. Even if you don’t sew, browsing the vibrant displays of textiles and handmade materials is a fun cultural experience.

Since many stores operate as wholesalers, a number of shops are closed on Sundays, so visiting on weekdays or Saturdays is recommended.

We visit the Ichida Family’s House, a traditional residence built in 1907 for Zenbei Ichida, a successful textile merchant from Nihonbashi. The house is an excellent example of early Meiji‑era Japanese residential architecture and has been preserved as a cultural asset, maintaining the feel of a classic Tokyo neighborhood from over a century ago.

Over time, the residence served various roles, including housing students from the nearby Tokyo University of the Arts, and today it is maintained by local volunteers who host cultural activities such as tea ceremonies, traditional craft demonstrations, and seasonal events.

Walking through the garden and tatami rooms, visitors can experience the tranquil atmosphere of an authentic Japanese home and gain insight into everyday life in Tokyo’s past.

We visit the Kuroda Memorial Hall, a historic exhibition hall near Ueno Park dedicated to the works of Seiki Kuroda, a pioneer of modern Western-style painting in Japan.

The building has a permanent exhibition that is open six days a week. In addition, a special exhibition room opens only three times a year — during the New Year, Spring, and Autumn seasons. Each special opening lasts for about two weeks, and photography is allowed inside the room.

If your visit coincides with this limited opening period, you may have a rare opportunity to enter this special exhibition space.

We visit GEIDAI Art Plaza, an art space operated by Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan’s most prestigious national art university.

The plaza features exhibitions and unique artworks created by students, graduates, and faculty members. Visitors can see contemporary Japanese art, crafts, ceramics, and design works that reflect the creativity of the next generation of artists.

This is also a great place to find original art pieces and souvenirs that you won’t see in typical tourist shops, offering a glimpse into Japan’s modern art scene near Ueno Park.

Completed in 1929, this building itself is an elegant example of early 20th-century architecture and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

Inside, you can view a fascinating collection of traditional Japanese artworks and historical materials used for art education, including sculptures, paintings, and design works created by students and professors over many decades.

This quiet and scholarly space offers a glimpse into the history of Japan’s most prestigious arts university and the development of modern Japanese art.

Built in 1890, this elegant wooden building is considered the oldest Western-style music hall in Japan. It was originally constructed on the campus of the former Tokyo Music School, the predecessor of Tokyo University of the Arts. When the university later built a new concert hall, the historic structure was carefully relocated to its present site and preserved as an important cultural property.

The hall also features a unique soundproofing design, with straw packed inside the walls to help improve acoustics.

On the first floor, a permanent exhibition introduces the fascinating history of how Western classical music was introduced and spread in Japan.

One of the highlights is the pipe organ, originally purchased in 1920 by Marquis Tokugawa Yoritsada from the British organ builder Abbott & Smith and later donated to the former Tokyo Music School in 1928. It is regarded as the oldest pipe organ in Japan designed for concert performances and features a rare pneumatic action system. Remarkably, the organ is still used for performances today.

On Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM, the hall hosts a mini concert lasting about 30–40 minutes performed by students of Tokyo University of the Arts.

1st & 3rd Sundays: Harpsichord concert

2nd & 4th Sundays: Pipe organ concert

These concerts are included with the admission fee (300 yen) and do not require advance reservations. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and entry closes shortly before the performance begins.

As we pass by the Tokyo National Museum, the oldest museum in Japan, guests who are interested may choose to step inside and explore the permanent exhibitions (admission 1,000 yen). The museum houses an extensive collection of Japanese art and cultural treasures, including samurai armor, ceramics, and historical artifacts.

Behind the museum buildings is a beautiful Japanese garden that is especially lovely during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. Within the garden, several traditional houses relocated from different parts of Tokyo have been preserved, offering a glimpse into historical Japanese architecture. One of these historic houses has been converted into a small café where visitors can relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

As a nationally licensed guide in Japan, I can accompany international guests into the museum, with free admission for the guide.

We pass through the front garden of the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park, the only building in Japan designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier and part of a The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement UNESCO World Heritage site.

Even without entering the museum, visitors can enjoy impressive sculptures displayed in the open-air garden, including works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. It is a wonderful place to appreciate art and architecture together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Located in Ueno Park, Ueno Toshogu Shrine was built in 1627 to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

The shrine is famous for its lavish gold decorations and beautifully preserved Edo-period architecture. Remarkably, it survived major disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and the air raids of World War II, making it one of the few original shrine buildings remaining in Tokyo.

Inside the grounds, visitors can admire intricate carvings, ornate gates, and a peaceful atmosphere that reflects the power and culture of the Tokugawa era.

Admission to the shrine grounds is 500 yen.

Next to the historic Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine in Ueno Park lies a beautiful seasonal garden famous for its magnificent peonies—known in Japan as the “King of Flowers.”

As we stroll through this charming garden, you can admire large, elegant peony blossoms in a peaceful traditional setting. The flowers are carefully arranged among stone paths, lanterns, and classic garden scenery, creating many photogenic spots.

In spring, the garden becomes a colorful display of blooming peonies. In winter, rare winter peonies are protected with traditional straw coverings, creating a uniquely Japanese and picturesque landscape that many visitors find unforgettable.

Hidden within the lively Ueno area, this garden offers a quiet and refined moment to appreciate seasonal beauty and traditional garden culture in Tokyo.

Located on a small hill in Ueno Park, Kiyomizu Kannon-do was built in 1631 by the monk Tenkai and was inspired by the famous Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.

The wooden stage extending from the main hall resembles the architecture of Kiyomizu-dera and offers a scenic view over Shinobazu Pond. The temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, who is widely worshipped in Japan.

Inside the grounds, visitors can also see the famous “Moon Pine,” a uniquely shaped pine tree that was depicted in a ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Hiroshige.

This peaceful temple provides a glimpse into the spiritual history of Ueno and offers one of the most picturesque viewpoints in the park.

We explore Ameya-Yokocho, a lively open-air market street located near Ueno Station. Known locally as “Ameyoko,” this bustling shopping area developed as a black market after World War II.

Today, the narrow street is filled with energetic shops selling seafood, sweets, cosmetics, and discount goods. It is also a great place to enjoy Japanese street food such as grilled seafood, skewers, and local snacks.

While walking through the market, you can experience the lively atmosphere of Tokyo’s traditional downtown (shitamachi) and enjoy tasting a variety of street foods along the way.

We also step down into the hidden underground food market beneath Ameya-Yokocho.

As we descend the stairs, we enter a maze of small shops selling unusual ingredients from across Asia. Some foods are casually packed in plain plastic bags, making visitors wonder what they are used for. Other products have cooking instructions written in languages other than Japanese or English.

You may spot ingredients such as tamarind, a sour fruit used in Thai dishes like Pad Thai, cassava, a staple food in South America, and papad, a crispy chickpea cracker commonly served with Indian curry.

Exploring this market offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse food culture of Asian communities living in Tokyo.

We visit Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple, a historic temple quietly located in the lively Ameya-Yokocho market area.

The temple is dedicated to Marishiten, a Buddhist guardian deity believed to bring victory, protection, and good fortune. In the past, samurai warriors prayed to Marishiten before going into battle, hoping for courage and success.

Hidden among the bustling shops of Ameyoko, Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple offers a peaceful moment and a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual traditions in the heart of a busy market street.