A detour around Yanaka

I take advantage of a cold but sunny afternoon to wander around Yanaka, a district that still has the charm of the old. It has been preserved from disasters such as the Kanto earthquake of 1923 and the bombings of World War II, which changed the face of Tokyo throughout history.

It’s also famous for its cemetery, home to famous people, and for its cats, who find peace and quiet in the maze of small streets and temples.

Rounding a bend in the cemetery, I come across one of the many crows that are often heard cawing in Tokyo and are part of everyday life. Could this bird be the guardian of the dead, ensuring their flight, or a bird of ill omen? Fascinating to some, repulsive to others, I find them very noble in their jet suit.

A neighborhood where tradition meets modernity.

Cats Kingdom

I will end my twilight stroll with a detour to a park overlooking Nishi-Nippori station to round off an afternoon rich in discoveries.