The professor from the design and architecture course I am taking this semester recommended me to visit Yanaka area of Tokyo for my final essay. It was really a cool place and I was shocked by the fact that I did not know about its existence although living here in Japan for almost 4 years now. Yanaka area is lucky to be spared from the fires of the Great Kanto Earthquake, so all the buildings in this area are “genuinely” old, instead of the “made to look old” buildings that can be found in areas like Asakusa.

The Chonaikai (Town Council Association?) were having a Mochi pounding session in a park that me and my friend passed by, and we got to try out mochi pounding! It was a first time experience for me and it feels great looking at how freshly cooked mochi rice turning into mochis! (Which were then grilled and served to us for free yummy!!)

Oh, and here are some of the few interesting buildings we saw in Yanaka area, one of it being an avant garde art gallery housed in a building of a 200 year old historical Sento building!