Shopping streets or Shotengai (商店街), as commercial areas go, are a staple feature of the Japanese urban landscape, and chances are that you will stumble upon one wherever it is that you are visiting.
Their kind of only-in-Japan unique look some of them are actually born of necessity: even if it is not the first thing you would think about when you hear the expression “land of the rising sun”, Japan experiences way more rain than you would imagine. Many sports a translucent ceiling that allows for sunlight while keeping a roof above the place, which is something you will be tremendously grateful for when you feel the heavy seasonal rain on the methacrylate ceiling while completely dry below, eating freshly baked taiyaki, thanking whatever gods you believe in for not being exposed to the elements.
Anyway, let’s hit the best 10 shopping streets of good old Tokyo, where locals actually shop, eat and hag out, and see what they have waiting for you.
1. Ameyoko
Ameya Yokocho, also known by the locals as Ameyoko (アメ横) is an early example of a Shotengai, starting shortly after WW2, and, if we have to believe the legends, it was a place where you could find black market goods.
Nowadays it is one of the most vibrant spots in all of the world, running along next to the rails the Yamanote line, with some of the stores actually under the arcades of the elevated rail tracks. It is a noisy place, to be sure, but all the sarariman crowding the outside bars can’t be wrong and they’re known for being quite the discriminating crowd after all.
If you feel like haggling, here is one of the few places in the city where you can do it: see some merchandise outside without a tag. Try making an offer.
▽More information about Ameyoko!▽
▶Ameyoko Shopping Street in Ueno, Tokyo
2. Happy Road Oyama
Welcome to Northern Tokyo, which I would advertise as not the most sophisticated area in the world. The best part of Happy Road Oyama (ハッピーロード大山) is that is completely out of the tourist radar and routes, which keeps the place 1000% authentic: bars in which you sit on a plastic crate to down a stiff one, an (amazingly good) ice cream store that hasn’t cleaned the white tiles on the frontage since 1978 when it opened, TONS of nana & pops stores that sell stuff for locals (but that will be a blast to get as a souvenir), and much more. It not only cries GENUINE, but actually is.
A cool feature is that everything is plastered with posters of the place’s mascot, which is not a cute anime critter, but an actual human being called Mayu Chan, an idol of, let’s say, moderate success, who one Sunday a month comes in the flesh to the place and sings and dances in an act that you can see for free. Let’s try and fail to blend in this, the most uncouth but also most charming and authentic shotengai in Tokyo, Happy Road Oyama, the happiest and rowdiest of shopping streets.
3. Nakamise Dori
That’s it: you cross the Gates of Lightning and, bam, you step into holy soil. In Nakamise Dori (仲見世通り) you will have the peace of mind that every deal you make will be technically approved by the powers above, by the sole fact of it being inside of the precinct of one of the most gorgeous temples in the world.
About the history of the place; stores are documented in the temple since the 18th century, but the present form of the shoten took shape immediately after WW2, which arguably makes Nakamise the oldest in Tokyo. Most stores gravitate towards the more touristy side of life; it is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for everyone at home, ranging from the cheap and tacky to the super sophisticated and pricey.
That said, I think that the general quality and taste of most touristic trinkets here put to shame those found anywhere else in the world. The 300 yards from the gates to the incense altar get really crowded, though, so bear that in mind. It is also in Asakusa, one of the hottest spots in Tokyo for sightseeing, with tons more to do besides shopping, which is always a perk.
▽More information about Nakamise!▽
▶Nakamise Shopping Street: Must-Try Asakusa Street Food
4. Yanaka Ginza
Yanaka Ginza (谷中銀座) is a breath of fresh air, or perhaps more accurately, a nostalgic breeze from Tokyo’s past.
Located in the Yanaka district, known for its old-world charm, this shopping street is a delightful detour from the city’s skyscraper-studded profile and a shopping experience that feels like a journey back in time. The street is lined with wooden storefronts, each one a treasure trove of traditional Japanese goods, ranging from artisanal crafts to local snacks, so rest assured the offerings here are as authentic as they come. But Yanaka Ginza isn’t stuck in the past. It’s a living, breathing community where elderly locals share sidewalk space with young urban explorers.
The street is famous for its “Yanaka Five-Storied Pagoda” ice cream, a towering treat that’s as Instagrammable as it is delicious. And let’s not forget the street cats—Yanaka’s unofficial mascots—who add a whimsical touch to the area.
▽More information about Yanaka Ginza!▽
▶Yanaka Ginza: Tokyo’s Best Old-Fashioned Shopping Street
5.Kichioji Sunroad
Kichijoji Sun Road (吉祥寺サンロード) is the beating heart of Kichijoji, a neighborhood often touted as one of Tokyo’s most desirable places to live.
Imagine a 300-meter-long covered arcade that’s a delightful blend of the old and the new. On one side, you’ll find retro shops that seem to whisper tales of yesteryears; on the other, chic designer boutiques that scream modern Tokyo. Coffee shops and restaurants are sprinkled generously along the stretch, offering perfect pit stops for weary shoppers or caffeine-deprived wanderers.
What sets Sun Road apart is its adjacent alley, Harmonica Yokocho—a labyrinthine offshoot teeming with bars and eateries. It’s like the quirky cousin who shows up at family gatherings and suddenly the party is a lot more fun.
If you’re hunting for a unique fashion find, craving a steaming bowl of ramen, or in the mood for some people-watching, Kichijoji Sun Road is your go-to destination. It’s a microcosm of Tokyo’s eclectic charm, all packed into one bustling street.