What is "yurakucho"

is a neighborhood of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, situated in between the Ginza and Hibiya Park, near the neighborhood of Shinbashi. Unlike its tonier neighbor Ginza, Yūrakuchō provides a glimpse of Japanese life from the early postwar period, with its many izakaya (Japanese-style bars, denoted by their red lanterns known as akachochin) and outdoor yakitori restaurants, many of which are located under the train tracks serving Tokyo's JR Yamanote Line. Because of its many traditional Japanese-style eating establishments, as well as its location on the Yamanote Line with easy access to Tokyo Station, Yūrakuchō is a favorite drinking spot for businessmen on their way home from work.

Yūrakuchō is served by several train and subway stations, including Yūrakuchō Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line, and Yūrakuchō Station on the Yūrakuchō subway line.

The neighborhood takes its name from Oda Nagamasu (or Urakusai, 1547–1622), younger brother of Oda Nobunaga. Nagamasu built his mansion here on land near the Sukiya-bashi Gate of Edo Castle granted by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In 1707, the Tokugawa shogunate established the Minami-machi Bugyō-sho, the office of one of the magistrates of Edo, in this area.

The place name dates from the Meiji period. It arises from an altered pronunciation of Urakusai.