Yanaka Cemetery 谷中霊園

Tombs and blooms in one of Tokyo's prettiest cemeteries

Surrounded by small temples and inhabited by local kitties, the pathways through Yanaka Cemetery make for a great spot to stroll. While rambling around you can find the graves of Shibusawa Eiichi and many other famous figures from the Meiji era from 1868 to 1912, including painters, authors, actors, and politicians.

The street running through the center of the cemetery is called Sakura Dori, or Cherry Blossom Street. It is lined by cherry trees which burst with frothy pink and white blossoms during the spring, a must-see for visitors exploring the Yanaka area. Extend your walk to the nearby YanakaGinza shopping street or even Nezu-jinja Shrine to get the full experience of this traditional neighborhood.