Top 3 Attractions in Nippori, Tokyo Travel
※updated on August 9 2025
About 11 minutes from JR Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line lies a little-known area with a distinctly unique charm. Nippori is home to Yanaka Ginza and the Fabric Town, where the nostalgic essence of Tokyo’s old culture still thrives. With the Keisei Skyliner running directly to Narita Airport, some may see it as a gateway to central Tokyo. While the area retains a strong sense of local life, its popularity has been growing in recent years. Even so, Nippori still holds many hidden gems. Here, we introduce three recommended spots around Nippori Station.
1) Nippori Fabric Town
Just a 3-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Nippori Station, there is an area popular among craft and fashion enthusiasts. Known as Nippori Fabric Town, it attracts visitors from both Japan and abroad. The fabric district was formed when textile wholesalers originally based in Asakusa relocated to Nippori in the 1920s.
Nippori Fabric Town is Tokyo’s premier district specializing in fabrics, captivating the hearts of sewing and fashion lovers. Stretching about 1 kilometer, it boasts around 90 shops selling textiles and craft supplies. The variety is vast, ranging from high-quality materials like silk and linen, to cotton with traditional Japanese patterns, kimono scraps, and even dazzling fabrics for stage costumes. Prices are close to wholesale, offering the thrill of finding great bargains.
Some shops have English-speaking staff and provide international shipping, making the area popular with craft enthusiasts worldwide. Rolls of fabric stacked outside stores and shelves crowded with buttons and ribbons stimulate creativity just by looking at them. In recent years, more tourists have been visiting as part of their sightseeing, drawn by the opportunity to experience Japan’s hands-on craft culture. After shopping, visitors can relax at nearby cafes or local eateries, soaking up the authentic atmosphere of Tokyo’s traditional neighborhoods.
2) Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street is a symbolic shopping area in Tokyo’s Yanaka district, known for its nostalgic downtown atmosphere. The street stretches about 170 meters and is lined with delicatessen shops, traditional Japanese sweet stores, and variety shops that retain the charm of the Showa era. Both tourists and locals can easily stop by.
It’s popular to stroll through the street while enjoying famous local snacks like “menchi katsu” (minced meat cutlet) and “yakitori” (grilled chicken skewers). At dusk, the view of the shopping street from the “Yuyake Dandan” steps is beautiful, wrapping visitors in a nostalgic ambiance. Nearby, there are temples and old-style cafes where you can leisurely experience the charm of old Tokyo.
3) Asakura Museum of Sculpture
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture, located in Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo, is the former residence and studio of sculptor Fumio Asakura (1883–1964) open to the public as an art museum. Built in 1935, the building features a unique blend of Japanese and Western architectural styles, combining wooden structures with reinforced concrete, and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
Inside, visitors can view many of Asakura’s masterpieces, studies, sketches, and a notable collection of works featuring cats, offering a sense of the seamless integration between his living and creative spaces. The courtyard pond and rooftop garden provide seasonal views that harmonize beautifully with the sculptures. Asakura believed that “sculpture should be part of everyday life” and pursued a fusion of art with nature and architecture. This museum is a valuable place to experience that philosophy and is popular among art lovers and visitors exploring Yanaka.
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