“Nippori,” located in Tokyo, is a charming district brimming with a Shitamachi (old downtown) atmosphere and a nostalgic vibe. It boasts one of Japan’s leading shopping streets and textile districts, where you can wander and explore long-established local specialty shops. It’s just a 3-minute train ride from Ueno, an area home to famous tourist spots like Ueno Park and Ameyoko. This article will detail the tourist charms of Nippori, including popular spots and restaurants that are must-visits for first-timers.
Table of Contents
- What kind of place is Nippori?
- What is the recommended tourist season for Nippori?
- Nippori Seasonal Dress Guide
- How to get to Nippori?
- Main Means of Transportation for Nippori Sightseeing
- 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Nippori
- 3 Local Famous Shops in Nippori
- Nippori Sightseeing FAQ
- Conclusion
What kind of place is Nippori?
Nippori, in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, borders Ueno and is an area exuding a strong Shitamachi atmosphere. There are many long-established private shops, and the entire district is filled with a warm, nostalgic, and highly appealing ambiance.
Among these, “Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street” best showcases Nippori’s unique character, with its nostalgic streetscape attracting tourists from all over Japan and overseas.
Japan’s largest textile district, “Nippori Textile Town,” is another unmissable highlight. This textile district, which began in the Taisho era, has gradually developed to its current state, now home to about 90 textile wholesalers and retail stores, where one can experience Japan’s unique artisan culture and traditional crafts.
Therefore, not only general shoppers but also many people in the fashion and design industries make special trips here for shopping or to find inspiration. Nippori is also a renowned gourmet city. Besides long-established soba noodle shops, traditional Japanese confectionery stores, and Japanese restaurants, many immigrants from around the world have gathered here, so you can also enjoy a rich variety of international cuisines, including Western and ethnic dishes.
Nostalgic streetscapes dotted with long-established private shops.
What is the recommended tourist season for Nippori?
If you plan to visit Nippori, the spring season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom is recommended.
During the Edo period, it was popular in the Nippori area to plant flowers and trees, mainly around temples, for people to enjoy. This tradition continues today, and the area is still dotted with many secret cherry blossom viewing spots. For example, at “Yanaka Cemetery” and “Gotenzaka,” you can admire spectacular cherry blossom tunnels.
The best viewing period for cherry blossoms varies depending on the climate and year, but it is usually from late March to early April, making it an excellent time to experience the romantic spring atmosphere of Nippori.
Nippori Seasonal Dress Guide
Spring (March - May): Light jacket, thin sweater Summer (June - August): Light clothing, short-sleeved tops Autumn (September - November): Light jacket, coat Winter (December - February): Coat, wool attire, thick sweaters and jackets How to get to Nippori?
“Nippori Station” is one of Tokyo’s major transportation hubs, with six lines, including the JR Yamanote Line, converging here. It’s not only about a 30-minute ride from major stations within Tokyo but also accessible from Narita Airport in as little as 36 minutes. Furthermore, Haneda Airport can be reached within an hour, making transportation extremely convenient. Please also refer to the table below, which summarizes the transportation methods and required times from major stations in Tokyo to Nippori Station.
From JR Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 10 minutes. From JR Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 20 minutes. From JR Ueno Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 3 minutes. From JR Shinagawa Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 25 minutes. From JR Shibuya Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 30 minutes. Main Means of Transportation for Nippori Sightseeing
Nippori is not a large area, so you can fully enjoy sightseeing by exploring its various attractions on foot. You can stroll through the streets filled with a Shitamachi atmosphere, soaking in the retro vibe while visiting various unique spots for a leisurely walking tour. If you get tired, feel free to use buses or taxis to make your journey more comfortable and relaxed.
5 Must-Visit Attractions in Nippori
Below, we will introduce noteworthy attractions, centering on Nippori’s two most representative shopping streets. Nippori has numerous locally-rooted private shops where you can discover a variety of unique miscellaneous goods, clothing, and food, experiencing the distinct charm of Nippori.
1.Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street
Exiting JR Nippori Station, walk along the left past “Yanaka Cemetery,” a famous cherry blossom spot, and up the gentle slope of Gotenzaka. You will then see a flight of stairs called “Yuyake Dandan” (Sunset Stairs).
These stairs are a famous landmark symbolizing the Yanaka area and are beloved as one of the best spots for watching the sunset. Descending these stairs slowly leads you to “Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street.”
This historic shopping street, which formed naturally around 1945, houses a variety of privately-owned shops such as butcher shops, fruit and vegetable stores, fishmongers, and electronics stores, as well as donut shops and home goods stores beloved by locals and tourists alike. Approximately 60 shops are clustered within this short, 170-meter-long street.
2.Nippori Textile Town
About a 3-minute walk from JR Nippori Station, “Nippori Textile Town” stretches for about 1 kilometer along Nippori Chuo-dori. It gathers approximately 90 shops specializing in fabrics and textiles, offering everything from various cloths and textiles to apparel-related accessories. It attracts handicraft beginners and apparel professionals from all over the country.
The main street, Nippori Chuo-dori, not only hosts shops mainly dealing with textile materials but also specialty stores selling leather, apparel accessories, buttons, patterns, sewing supplies, and accessories.
3.ZAKURO Lamp House
On the retro-atmospheric Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, there is a shop with a distinctly exotic flair. The store is filled with Turkish mosaic lamps carefully selected by the owner, Mr. Ali. The colorful lamps attract countless visitors who stop to admire them.
Visitors can not only purchase these exquisite mosaic lamps but also participate in a workshop to create their own original mosaic lamp. Although the workshop duration varies from person to person, it usually takes about 2-3 hours to complete. It is highly recommended to try this workshop experience, as it not only allows you to create a meaningful souvenir but also adds unforgettable memories to your trip.
4.Yanaka Matsunoya
“Yanaka Matsunoya,” specializing in practical daily sundry goods, is a shop closely connected to the lives of local residents. Its establishment dates back to 1945, initially starting as a manufacturer and wholesaler of leather bags in Bakurocho, Tokyo. As the business developed, it gradually transformed into a wholesaler of daily necessities.
In 2010, they opened a retail store for general consumers above the “Sunset Stairs” in Yanaka.
Adhering to the philosophy of “craftsmanship that doesn’t overburden the maker,” the current owner, Mr. Hiroshi Matsuno, travels throughout Japan and even overseas to carefully select various high-quality products, offering customers practical and everyday sundry goods.
5.Nippori Saito-yu
“Nippori Saito-yu” is only about a 3-minute walk from JR “Nippori Station.” This public bathhouse features an open-air rock bath, a high-concentration artificial carbonated spring, an electric bath, and a high-temperature “hot bath,” allowing you to enjoy various bathing experiences. Another major feature is that all baths and showers use soft water, which is gentle on the skin.
Shampoo and body soap are provided in the facility, and towels can also be rented, allowing visitors to enjoy a bath easily without preparing any bathing supplies.
Even more delightfully, they sell draft beer and have a dedicated relaxation space, so you can leisurely enjoy a refreshing beer after your bath.
3 Local Famous Shops in Nippori
Nippori is home to many long-established restaurants where you can taste classic flavors that have been refined over the years and are beloved by locals.
The variety of cuisine is rich, allowing you to choose the most suitable dish according to your mood that day. Additionally, the area mostly features reasonably priced and casual eateries.
If you’re sightseeing in Nippori, why not visit these selected restaurants?
1. Hanaya
Founded in 1945 (Showa 20), “Hanaya” is a long-established restaurant beloved by locals, now run by the third-generation owner. The menu is quite extensive, including traditional Japanese sweets like anmitsu (agar jelly with red bean paste), Chinese dishes, donburi (rice bowls), and hearty set meals, ensuring that both adults and children can enjoy themselves.
Many customers have been regulars for three generations, a testament to its long-standing reputation and charm. Their signature dish, “Pan-fried Gyoza,” is generously filled and juicy, wrapped in homemade dough, offering a satisfying texture that leaves a lasting impression.
2.Kawamura
Kawamura is a long-established soba noodle shop founded in 1872, about a 2-minute walk from JR “Nippori” Station. Besides soba and udon noodles, you can also enjoy donburi items like tendon (tempura rice bowl) and katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl), as well as various a la carte dishes suitable as snacks with drinks.
Tempura soba (cold), duck soba (cold), and tororo soba (grated yam soba) are very popular choices. In the restaurant, you can savor fragrant, handmade soba noodles paired with a flavorful dashi-based dipping sauce, enjoying authentic Japanese soba.
It’s also recommended to pair your meal with carefully selected local sake, enjoying exquisite a la carte dishes alongside authentic food and mellow alcoholic beverages.
Taste the classic flavors of a long-established soba noodle shop passed down since the Meiji era (image for reference only). Japanese Name: 川むら (Kawamura) Address: 3-2-1 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 〒116-0013 Opening Hours: 11:30 - 20:00 Closed: Thursdays
3.Izakaya Torinobu
“Izakaya Torinobu,” founded around 1969, remains a popular and renowned establishment, located about a 5-minute walk from Nippori Station. Their signature dishes are various chicken preparations made with fresh local chicken (jidori). It is especially recommended to try the chicken sashimi and seared chicken, dishes that can only be offered when using extremely fresh chicken.
Additionally, you can also enjoy fish dishes and creative Western-style cuisine; the extensive menu is one of the shop’s charms. The selection of alcoholic beverages is equally diverse, featuring shochu from various parts of Japan, as well as domestic whiskies, plum wine, and wine.
A popular izakaya centered on chicken dishes, paired with famous alcoholic beverages (image for reference only). Japanese Name: 居酒屋鳥のぶ (Izakaya Torinobu) Address: 2-48-5 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 〒116-0013 Opening Hours: 17:00 - 24:00 Closed: Sundays
Conclusion
We have introduced the tourist charms of Nippori, its must-visit attractions, and popular local restaurants. This nostalgic district, exuding a strong Shitamachi atmosphere, is worth a visit whether you’re strolling through or enjoying its cuisine. Besides Nippori, Tokyo has many other attractive tourist spots and destinations. Why not refer to the article below introducing must-visit attractions in Tokyo to make your Tokyo trip even more fulfilling?