Yanaka

This referred to the northern part and lowlands on both sides of the Ueno plateau during the Edo Period. The origin of the area's name is that it was in a valley between Ueno and Komagome (Yanaka means "in a valley"). After the founding of Edo, a large number of temples were constructed, also leading to the formation of a monzencho (a town built originally in front of a temple). A lottery was held within the ground of the Kanno-ji Temple (present day Tenno-ji Temple) on the 11th day of January, May and September every year. It was known for a five-storied pagoda, which was also used as a subject in Koda Rohan's short stories during the Meiji Era, however it was lost in a fire in 1957. Because there were many temples, it was said Yanaka was famous for graves and lotteries, and the Yanaka Cemetary was established in the Meiji Era. During the Edo Period, it was also known as an unofficial pleasure quarter for the Shogunate Government. One of its most famous products was hashoga (ginger with the leaves still on), which was often used for gifts and was known as Yanaka Shoga (Yanaka Ginger).

Nishiki-e and Paintings

江戸名勝図会　天王寺

天王寺

東都谷中撫子

東都谷中撫子

Photos

東京景色写真版

谷中天王寺五重塔

Other Materials

• 谷中感応寺（長耀山感応寺）（本文・挿絵）　松濤軒斎藤長秋 著 et.al, "江戸名所図会 7巻 [14]" (須原屋茂兵衛[ほか] 1834)
• 谷中感応寺其一　松濤軒斎藤長秋 著 et.al, "江戸名所図会 7巻 [14]" (須原屋茂兵衛[ほか] 1834)

Landmarks around Yanaka

Kanei-ji Temple　Nippori　Nezu　Shinobazu no ike Pond　Sendagi　Dokanyama　Iriya　Ueno Hirokoji / Shitaya / Yamashita　Hongo　Otori-jinja Shrine