下 町(したまち)

したまち

noun

downtown, old town

1. downtown, old town, low-lying area of a city

The older, traditional commercial and residential areas of a city, typically in lower-lying areas, associated with working-class culture and traditional atmosphere.

東京(とうきょう)の下町(したまち)には古(ふる)い街並(まちな)みが残(のこ)っている。

Old townscapes remain in Tokyo's downtown area.

下町(したまち)の雰囲気(ふんいき)が好(す)きだ。

I like the atmosphere of the old downtown.

下町(したまち)育(そだ)ちの人(ひと)は人情(にんじょう)に厚(あつ)いと言(い)われる。

People raised in the old downtown are said to be warm-hearted.

CULTURAL NOTE:

下町(したまち) refers to the traditional working-class areas of Japanese cities, particularly Tokyo. Areas like 浅草(あさくさ), 上野(うえの), and 両国(りょうごく) are considered classic 下町(したまち). It's associated with:

人情(にんじょう) (warmth, humanity)
職人(しょくにん) (craftspeople)
伝統(でんとう)的(てき)な店(みせ) (traditional shops)
祭(まつ)り (festivals)

OPPOSITE:

山(やま)の手(て) (uptown, residential hillside areas)

[Register: Neutral]

Related Words

Antonym: 山手(やまのて) (uptown, hilly residential area)

general

Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.5.30 6:12

04000/04193_shitamachi