#Yanesen
Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi, the neighbouring districts of the city centre, are commonly called "Yanesen".
It is a popular area for young people and foreign tourists because of its restaurants in old renovated houses and its traditional atmosphere.
FUKU no Yu
The Japanese are very fond of bathing. Several public baths have been around for a long time and are still very popular.
Among them, we went to FUKU no Yu, with Mt Fuji painted on the interior walls, a very typical decoration for this kind of place.
The shower area is decorated with illustrations of Daikokuten and Benzaiten, two of the seven deities of happiness. The colours that decorate the entire facility follow the theory of feng shui, which is said to provide a high level of energy.
Discover the traditional bathing culture at Fuku no Yu
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Nezu Shrine
The Nezu Shrine dates back more than 1900 years.
It survived the great Edo fire, the terrible Kanto earthquake and the Tokyo air raid. It is considered a lucky shrine and many structures built in the Edo period, such as the worship hall, Karamon Gate and Tower Gate, still exist.
Take time to appreciate the architecture of the Edo period shrine, which dates back over 300 years.
The thousand torii, the gates at the entrance to the holy places, attract many amateur photographers and the spring azalea festival is also worth a visit.
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Tofu roomDy's
This is a specialised tofu restaurant in Sendagi, started by the daughter of a tofu manufacturer.
In Japan, tofu is not only eaten as is, but is also used in a variety of dishes. It is boiled or baked and used as a basic ingredient for desserts.
These dietary dishes, rich in vegetable protein and low in calories, are recommended for health-conscious people.
Lunch is hearty, with many elaborate and nutritious side dishes.
Both your stomach and your palate will be satisfied!
Yanaka Senbei
About a 2-minute walk from the west exit of JR Nippori Station, Yanaka Senbei makes and sells its senbei, traditional rice cakes. Founded in 1913, the shop is still located on Yanaka Ginza shopping street. The aroma of soy sauce wafting through the air tickles the noses of passers-by. Early in the morning, it is possible to observe the making of senbei.
Between Nippori Station and Yanaka Ginza, there is a staircase called "Yuyake Dandan" for its beautiful view of the sunset, so why not enjoy this salty pastry while watching the sunset? Beware of stray, but still cute, cats that might come to covet your late-night snack.
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Original text
#谷根千
谷中・根津・千駄木という隣り合う下町を合わ呼ぶ通称「谷根千」。
古民家をリノベーションしたレストランや、昔ながらの街並みが若者や外国人観光客に人気スポットです。
ふくの湯
日本人はお風呂が大好き。町には昔から親しまれた公共浴場が点在します。
そんな中でも浴場の壁に富士山が描かれた昔ながらの銭湯「ふくの湯」へ。
洗い場には大黒天様や弁財天様の絵も描かれ、店内は全て風水の理論を取り入れた配色になっており、銭湯全体がパワースポットのよう。
風情溢れるふくの湯で、日本の伝統文化「銭湯」をぜひ体験してみて下さい。
根津神社
1900年以上の歴史を誇る古社「根津神社」
江戸の大火や関東大震災、東京大空襲をもくぐり抜け、江戸時代に造られた拝殿・唐門・楼門などの建築物が多く現存している強運の神社と呼ばれています。
築300年以上の江戸時代の神社建築をじっくりと味わってください。
千本鳥居や春に行われる「つつじまつり」は写真愛好家にも人気の神社です。
豆腐roomDy’s
千駄木にある、お豆腐屋の娘さんが始めた豆腐専門レストラン。
日本では豆腐をそのまま食べるだけでなく、煮たり焼いたり、和物やスイーツに使ったりなど、様々な料理に応用します。
タンパク質豊富で低カロリーな豆腐を使った見るからに体に良さそうな食事は、健康志向の方には特におすすめです。
手が込んだ栄養満点のおかずが沢山乗ったランチのプレートはボリューム満点で
味もお腹も大満足です。
谷中せんべい
JR日暮里駅の西口から徒歩約2分。食べ歩きスポットとしても有名な谷中銀座商店街に向かう途中にある「谷中せんべい」は大正2年（1913年）創業の老舗。ふわっと漂う醤油のいい香りが道行く人々の鼻をくすぐります。早い時間帯であれば、せんべい焼きの見学も可能。
日暮里駅と谷中銀座の間には夕焼けがキレイに見られることで「夕焼けだんだん」と言う階段があるので、夕焼けを眺めながら煎餅を齧ってみては？可愛い猫たちが羨ましそうに寄ってくるかもしれません。
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Yusuke Okada
photographer
