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While in Tokyo I imagine youfll be visiting the more popular districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shinagawa, and the other places along the Yamanote Line. But if you like walking, and want to see a more different part of Tokyo, I would recommend the area around Minami Senju station. This is an area which most Japanese would never recommend to tourists due to its history.
Right across from Minami Senju Station is a small graveyard with a large stone statue which looks like a Buddha. This was the site of one of Tokyofs most notorious execution grounds, Kozukappara. Standing in front of the old stone statue with the train tracks on either side, you would never imagine the days when the statue was surrounded by empty fields, and that as many as 200,000 people were executed on that spot. The street which runs in front of the cemetery and temple is called gKotsu-dorih or gbone street.h Those executed at Kozukappara were not buried very deeply, so their bones were (are) always found in the area.
About 20 minutes walk from Minami Senju station, heading toward Minowa Station is the old Yoshiwara district (now called Senzoku). This was the so-called gpleasure quartersh for old Tokyo, home to the prostitution district, and, oddly, the source of much of the culture in the old days. Music, art, poetry and the like originated in the Yoshiwara, it has a sordid history, largely tragic, but an important part of Tokyo culture. The few city blocks which the Yoshiwara district covers are the same as when it was built in the 17th century, when it was a walled enclosure surrounded by rice paddies. Today it is indistinguishable from the rest of the city, except that it is still the center of Tokyofs prostitution district (which is obvious enough if you walk through it).
Heading from the Yoshiwara, you can find your way to Asakusa, and the Sensoji Temple, which is probably the biggest tourist attraction in Tokyo. Coming by way of the Yoshiwara toward the Sumida River, youfll pass through what used to be called the Sanya district, and what was the location of one of Tokyofs old geta murah (outcast village). These are places which Tokyo has been slowly trying to erase from its social memory, but the historical origins of these areas are easy to spot if you know the signs.
Asakusa is normally one of the most crowded places in Japan, it draws local and international tourists as well as pilgrims. Itfs largely a tourist trap selling Chinese-made Japanese souvenirs, and souvenir foods unique to the area, like senbei crackers. Still, it is an interesting place to see, and a great place to take photos.
Not far from Asakusa is Bakurocho, and Kodenmacho. Bakurocho is now Tokyofs garment district, formerly it was the location of the cityfs horse market. Kodenmacho used to be the location of Tokyofs most notorious prison, many of the condemned were shipped off to Kozukappara. This area is between Akihabara and Nihonbashi.
Another great place is Tsukishima (Moon Island), which is 10 minute bus ride from Tokyo station. Tsukishima still has some of the old scenery and neighborhoods which bring back the culture of old Tokyo. Be sure to stop at one of the numerous Monja shops, Ataru is the best one I have tried so far. Be warned that many of these places donft have non-smoking seats.
If you like musical instruments or books, or sporting goods (the yen is weak now, so good deals to be found), check out Ochanomizu and Jimbocho, these are walking distance from Akihabara. Anime and idol fans still crowd Akiba, you can have a meal in a maid cafe, and check out some of the interesting shops and stores.
Central Tokyo has Ginza and Nihonbashi, I prefer the latter to the former, though Ginza is easy on the eyes. If you visit Tokyo Station (more than likely), on the B1 level there is a Dean and Deluca store which sells a pork tenderloin sandwich, I canft recommend it highly enough.
If you take the train out to Harajuku Station, you can wander around Omotesando and Harajuku, take a stroll through Yoyogi Park, and walk to Shibuya.
There are literally too many things to see and do, Ifve been here 15 years and still havenft seen it all.
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