Taito, Japan
Yanaka
A historic Tokyo neighborhood where cats are part of everyday street life — especially around Yanaka Ginza and the cemetery paths.
Before you go
- Street cats are often seen here, but they may not always be present.
- Yanaka Cemetery is an active burial ground — please walk quietly there.
- Weekday mornings are usually calmer than busy weekend afternoons around Yanaka Ginza.
About Yanaka
The Yanaka area in northeastern Tokyo preserves a shitamachi atmosphere with narrow lanes, temples, and small shops. It is one of the city's best-known neighborhoods for street cats, often seen along Yanaka Ginza shopping street and the quieter paths near Yanaka Cemetery. A relaxed walk at a cat's pace fits this area well.
How to get to Yanaka
From Nippori Station (JR Yamanote Line, Joban Line, Toei Nippori-Toneri Line, Keisei Line, etc.) or Sendagi Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line), walk about 5 minutes to Yanaka Ginza.
Street cats are often seen around Yanaka Ginza and the lanes near Yanaka Cemetery, but they may not always be present. Yanaka Cemetery is an active burial ground — please walk quietly there. Lanes and temple grounds are also places of daily life and worship. Weekday mornings are usually calmer than busy weekend afternoons around Yanaka Ginza.
- Head to Nippori Station or Sendagi Station.
· Nippori Station: JR Yamanote Line, Joban Line, Toei Nippori-Toneri Line, Keisei Line, etc.
· Sendagi Station: Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line - From either station, walk about 5 minutes to Yanaka Ginza.
- Explore the lanes around Yanaka Ginza and Yanaka Cemetery — cats are often spotted on quiet side streets.
Location & map
Open in Google MapsYanaka Walking Map
This walking map covers Nippori Station, Sendagi Station, Yanaka Ginza, Yuyake Dandan, Yanaka Cemetery, Neko Action, Yanakado, Gallery Neko-machi, and other highlights in the Yanaka area. Lanes and the cemetery are also places of daily life and worship — observe cats from a distance without feeding or chasing them. Locations are approximate.
Yanaka Spot Guide
Visited August 2026
August 12–14, 2026 — I walked around Yanaka over three days. It kept raining after the typhoon, and unfortunately I didn’t meet a single cat. Still, cat-loving shops like Yanakado, Gallery Neko-machi, and Neko Action are scattered through the neighborhood, so just walking the streets is enjoyable. For meeting cats, a clear early morning seems best.
Nearby cat spots
Imado Shrine
Taito, Japan
A Tokyo shrine said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko — with cat-themed charms and occasional feline visitors.
Gotokuji Temple
Setagaya, Japan
The Tokyo temple famous for countless maneki-neko figurines — and occasional temple cats.
Happiness Maneki-neko Train (Tokyu Setagaya Line)
Setagaya, Japan
A cat-themed wrapping train running the full Tokyu Setagaya Line — Miyanosaka Station is the nearest stop to Gotokuji Temple.
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