If you want to enjoy a classic Tokyo walk soon after arriving from Narita Airport, one of the best routes starts at Nippori Station and continues through Yanaka, Nezu, and Ueno.
Nippori Station is one of the most convenient gateways to Tokyo from Narita Airport, especially if you take the Keisei Skyliner. From there, you can easily explore some of Tokyo’s most charming neighborhoods on foot, including Yanaka Ginza, Nezu Shrine, and Ueno Park.
In this article, I’d like to introduce a walking route through one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric old downtown areas, starting from Nippori Station.
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street is a very popular spot among travelers visiting Tokyo. The surrounding area is filled with temples, narrow alleys, and quiet residential streets, giving it a slower and more traditional feel than many other parts of Tokyo.
This neighborhood developed around the historic temple district connected to Kan’ei-ji Temple in Ueno. As Edo expanded, many temples were moved to this area, and over time it became known as a temple town. Because the area suffered relatively little damage during the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Tokyo air raids, much of its old atmosphere still remains today. Wooden buildings, narrow backstreets, and clusters of temples all help preserve a side of Tokyo that feels very different from the modern city.
Unlike the bright and busy districts of Shibuya or Shinjuku, this is a place where you can still experience a quieter, older side of Tokyo.
As soon as you leave Nippori Station’s West Exit, the atmosphere changes almost immediately. The wide streets and high-rise buildings of central Tokyo give way to a calmer neighborhood with a more relaxed pace, making it a wonderful place to begin a walk.
The route to Yanaka Ginza is simple and easy to follow, and it only takes a few minutes on foot from the station. From there, continue on to Nezu Shrine, then finish the walk at Ueno Park.
Walking Route Overview
This walk starts at Nippori Station, passes through Yanaka Ginza, continues to Nezu Shrine, and finishes at Ueno Park. The route is easy to follow and lets you experience a quieter side of Tokyo away from the busiest tourist areas.
Walking Route
①Start: Nippori Station
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②Yanaka Ginza (10 min)
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③Nezu Shrine (20 min)
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④Ueno Park (20 min)
Total distance: about 2.7 km
Walking time: 50–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Best for:
✓ First-time visitors
✓ History lovers
✓ Families
✓ Photography
✓ Travelers arriving from Narita Airport
Start at Nippori Station
As soon as you leave Nippori Station through the West Exit, the atmosphere changes noticeably. The busy streets and fast pace of central Tokyo give way to a quieter neighborhood with a more relaxed feel.
The walk to Yanaka Ginza is straightforward, following an easy route that is difficult to get lost on.
Along the way, you’ll pass a long-established tsukudani shop. Tsukudani is a traditional Japanese preserved food made by slowly simmering ingredients such as seafood or seaweed in soy sauce and sugar. Shops like this have been part of everyday life in Tokyo for generations, offering a small glimpse into the city’s culinary traditions before you even reach Yanaka Ginza.
They pair perfectly with freshly steamed rice and offer an authentic taste of everyday Japanese cuisine. Unlike snacks or sweets, tsukudani is traditionally enjoyed with rice and has long been a staple of Japanese home cooking. If you’d like to experience the flavors that many Japanese families have enjoyed for generations, it’s well worth trying.
Walk Through Yanaka Ginza
Yanaka Ginza isn’t about rushing from one attraction to another. It’s a place to slow down, wander through small shops, and enjoy the atmosphere of everyday Tokyo.
Despite its relaxed atmosphere, Yanaka Ginza is a popular destination for international visitors. I visited at around 11:00 a.m., and the shopping street was already lively with travelers from around the world.
One shop that especially caught my attention displayed hundreds of ceramic chopstick rests, each priced at just ¥200. They came in a wide variety of designs, and I noticed several children looking through them with great curiosity, carefully picking them up one by one. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the charm of exploring Yanaka Ginza.
Rather than rushing through the area, many people were simply enjoying the experience. Some browsed the local shops, others picked up light snacks, while many stopped for a matcha latte or visited a traditional tokoroten shop to try a classic Japanese dessert.
Yanaka Ginza isn’t a place filled with famous landmarks or major attractions. Its charm comes from discovering small local shops, meeting friendly shopkeepers, and enjoying everyday moments that make old Tokyo feel so special.
As you leave the shopping street behind, the atmosphere becomes even quieter. The walk continues through peaceful residential streets toward Nezu Shrine, where another side of Tokyo’s history awaits.
Walk from Yanaka Ginza to Nezu Shrine
After leaving Yanaka Ginza, continue straight toward Nezu Shrine.
The route is simple and easy to follow. After reaching the main road, continue straight without making any complicated turns.
Along the way, you’ll pass Sendagi Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. If you’re staying nearby or prefer a shorter walk, this station provides another convenient way to reach the area.
As you continue walking, you’ll soon arrive at the Nezu Shrine Entrance intersection. From there, it’s only a short walk to one of Tokyo’s oldest and most beautiful shrines.
Compared with the lively atmosphere of Yanaka Ginza, this part of the walk becomes noticeably quieter. The small local shops gradually give way to residential streets, making the transition feel like you’re discovering another side of Tokyo.
Explore Nezu Shrine
After a pleasant walk from Yanaka Ginza, you’ll arrive at Nezu Shrine, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most beautiful shrines.
What surprised me most during my visit was the number of international visitors. There were noticeably more foreign tourists than Japanese visitors, which made me realize that Nezu Shrine has already become one of Tokyo’s well-known cultural attractions.
Many visitors weren’t simply taking photos and leaving. I saw quite a few people spending time quietly praying and observing the customs, showing a genuine interest in Japanese culture and traditions.
The Chinowa Experience
One memorable moment happened near the chinowa(a sacred grass ring used for a purification ritual), the large sacred grass ring placed in front of the shrine.
There was an explanation showing how to walk through the ring, but it was written only in Japanese. Several international visitors looked unsure about what to do, so I explained the proper way to walk through it. They then asked me what the ritual meant, giving me an opportunity to explain that walking through the chinowa is a traditional purification ceremony performed to pray for good health and protection from misfortune.
Don’t Miss the Vermilion Torii
Many visitors come to Nezu Shrine for its beautiful tunnel of vermilion torii gates.
Unlike the famous thousand torii at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nezu Shrine offers a quieter and more intimate experience. Visitors can walk slowly beneath the gates surrounded by trees, creating one of the most peaceful spots in central Tokyo.
During my visit, almost everyone stopped here to take photographs. Many simply stood for a moment, quietly taking in the scenery before continuing their walk.
If you’re visiting Tokyo and want to experience a traditional shrine without leaving the city, Nezu Shrine is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Historic Stone Monuments
Nezu Shrine is not only known for its main shrine buildings and torii gates. As you walk around the grounds, you’ll also find old stone monuments that reflect Japan’s long religious history.
One example is a historic Koshin monument, a type of stone monument connected to folk beliefs that were once common in Japan. Even if you don’t fully understand the details, these weathered stones show how local faith and everyday life have been connected for generations.
Inari Shrine and Fox Statues
Within the grounds of Nezu Shrine, you’ll also find a small Inari shrine area.
Inari shrines are often recognized by their fox statues. In Japanese tradition, foxes are considered messengers of Inari, a deity associated with rice, agriculture, prosperity, and good fortune.
The fox statues here, wearing small red bibs, create a charming and slightly mysterious atmosphere. It is a quiet spot, but it adds another layer to the experience of visiting Nezu Shrine.
Walk from Nezu Shrine to Ueno Park
After exploring the peaceful grounds of Nezu Shrine, it’s time to continue toward Ueno Park.
The walk takes around 15 to 20 minutes and is mostly straightforward. As you leave the quiet shrine grounds behind, the streets gradually become busier, and the atmosphere slowly changes from a traditional residential neighborhood to one of Tokyo’s most famous cultural districts.
One of the things I enjoy about this route is how naturally the scenery changes. In less than an hour on foot, you can experience old shopping streets, a historic shrine, and one of Tokyo’s largest parks without ever needing to take a train.
By the time you arrive at Ueno Park, you’ll find museums, temples, a zoo, and wide open spaces where both locals and visitors come to relax. It feels like a natural conclusion to a walk that showcases several different sides of Tokyo.
Your Walk Doesn’t Have to End Here
In just one walk, you can experience several different sides of Tokyo.
Start at Nippori Station.
Explore the nostalgic streets of Yanaka Ginza.
Visit the historic grounds of Nezu Shrine.
Finish in the cultural heart of Ueno Park.
Instead of rushing between famous attractions by train, this route lets you discover a slower and more authentic side of Tokyo.
Continue Exploring Tokyo
Tokyo offers many ways to get around, including trains, buses, and taxis. However, one of the best ways to experience the city is simply by walking.
Many of Tokyo’s famous attractions are closer together than people expect. Walking between them allows you to discover quiet neighborhoods, traditional shops, small cafés, historic temples, and unexpected moments that you might otherwise miss.
For me, these walks are not just about reaching the next destination. They are about experiencing the atmosphere of the city and gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture through everyday life.
I hope this walking route inspires you to slow down, explore beyond the major tourist attractions, and discover your own favorite corners of Tokyo.
Thank you for visiting Japan. I sincerely hope your journey will be filled with wonderful memories, and that this guide helps you enjoy an unforgettable time in Tokyo.
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