Yanagibashi

Tokyo

Yanagibashi
Yanagibashi
Yanagibashi
Yanagibashi
Yanagibashi

Discover this interesting neighbourhood known for its many traditional doll shops that play an important part in local tradition. 

Yanagibashi is part of the Asakusabashi area of Tokyo in the Taitō ward. Asakusabashi’s biggest draws for most locals are its huge wholesale stores and its doll shops. Most of the doll shops are concentrated in the Yanagibashi neighborhood.

Visit Yanagibashi to window-shop in the old-fashioned doll stores and to look out across the Kanda River at the yakatabune boats, traditional low barges that travel up and down the water. You can also board one of the boats here yourself to enjoy a cruise along the Kanda River or the Sumida River, which joins it.

In the 17th century, Yanagibashi rose to prominence as one of the top entertainment areas of the city. Walk along the riverfront today and imagine what this stretch of water looked like when it had geisha houses dotted along its length. Over time, other entertainment districts took over from Yanagibashi, and today the nights here are generally quiet.

Notice how many doll shops are located in Yanagibashi. To get a sense of what the dolls are like, visit Kyugetsu, a doll shop that is less strictly targeted at locals than some of the more exclusive options.

In Japanese tradition, at the beginning of March girls are given Hina dolls styled in the old-fashioned manner of the Heian court. Boys receive samurai dolls at the start of May. Other dolls on sale include kimekomi dolls, which are made from wood or clay.

Make time to visit some of the shrines within walking distance of Yanagibashi: Ichogaoka Hachiman Shrine, Sakaki Shrine and Suga Shrine.

Another sight of historic interest in the area is the pretty green Yanagibashi Bridge. Its current version dates from the early 20th century.

To get to Yanagibashi, take the subway to the Asakusabashi station. When you exit, cross Edo-dori Avenue, the main road running close to the station. Alternatively travel to the Ryogoku station instead and cross the Sumida River, which involves a slightly longer walk.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Yanagibashi

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is HK$1,127 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
HK$1,127
HK$1,364 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,516 reviews)
"Rooms are pretty clean and good customer service. Convenient location but it’s in an old town."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is HK$658 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
HK$658
HK$748 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,218 reviews)
"Comfortable western style beds, convient, friendly staff. Perfect for an early international flight out of Tokyo."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
4 out of 5
2-8-16 Shiomi, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is HK$1,432 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
HK$1,432
HK$1,779 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,114 reviews)
"Excellent breakfast buffet"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
3.5 out of 5
1-1-1 Hinode, Urayasu, Chiba-ken
The price is HK$566 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
HK$566
HK$639 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Urayasu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,658 reviews)
"Great location and love their staffs."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
4 out of 5
3-2-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is HK$592 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
HK$592
HK$734 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 15 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,875 reviews)
"Convenience and professional and friendly staff"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
3.5 out of 5
2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,581 reviews)
"The staff are wonderful. The only thing that we think was the room is too small."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Yanagibashi

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Akihabara

While you're in Akihabara, take in top sights like Akihabara Electric Town and jump on the metro at Suehirocho Station to see more of the city.

Akihabara
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Ueno

4.5/5(87 area reviews)

Travellers choose Ueno for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Ueno-okachimachi Station or Ueno-hirokoji Station and check out top sights like Ameyoko Shopping District.

Ueno
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Taito

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

Travellers love Taito for its popular shops, and you can see more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Iriya Station or Tawaramachi Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Sensoji Temple and Hanayashiki Amusement Park.

Taito
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Asakusa

5/5(62 area reviews)

Asakusa is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Sensoji Temple or Asakusa Shrine.

Asakusa
Marunouchi which includes a city, a high-rise building and a fountain

Marunouchi

4/5(9 area reviews)

Travellers choose Marunouchi for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Nijubashimae (Marunouchi) Station or Otemachi Station and check out top sights like Imperial Garden Theatre.

Marunouchi
Akihabara Electric Town showing signage, street scenes and a city

Chiyoda

4.5/5(178 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chiyoda. Nippon Budokan is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kudanshita Station or Takebashi Station to see more of Tokyo.

Chiyoda

Yanagibashi