Discover Old Tokyo and explore the rich cultural history of a city that very much still treasures the charms of a bygone era. Nestled between the neon lights of Kabukicho and the skyscrapers of Shinjuku lies Golden Gai. This network of tiny bars never reaches more than two stories, and while it occupies an entire block of prime Shinjuku real estate, attempts to redevelop the area have been strongly resisted.
The narrow pedestrian lanes come alive at night, when the dim lighting and antique shopfronts give visitors a glimpse of Old Tokyo. More details here. This charming neighborhood northwest of Tokyo has been nicknamed Little Edo Koedo. Kawagoe has been carefully preserving the culture and history of that feudal era for centuries.
There, antique clay-walled storehouses have been repurposed into shops and restaurants that transport visitors back to Old Japan.
Rising above them is the Toki no Kane, or Bell of Time. This bell tower was established in the early s and rebuilt in its current form in , preserving the unique shape and style of the original tower. The Toki no Kane rings at am, noon, pm and pm each day. More details about Kawagoe here. The house and courtyard garden have been well-preserved. Patrons can enjoy authentic Japanese matcha tea and wagashi Japanese tea-time sweets while looking out into the old garden.
Nakamise-dori is a lively shopping street selling souvenirs, trinkets and snacks for visitors on their way to visit the temple. These tiny shops give the street a festive shitamachi atmosphere. At night, the store shutters are closed, revealing a long mural painted in the old ukiyo-e woodblock painting style. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! More details here in Japanese, but scroll down for the map! Golden Gai. October 10, Travel , Tokyo.
