Ameyoko アメ横 Shopping Street in Ueno - Tokyo Japan
For this second trip to Tokyo, Scott and I wanted to visit more street markets. He found Ameya Yokocho, a colorful and bustling street market that end up splitting up alongside a second shopping street. Both are very expansive alleyways and run along the Yamanote Line between the Okachimachi and Ueno stations. We were staying conveniently near the Yamanote line, so took that line and got off at Ueno station. “The name ‘Ameyoko’ is short form form ‘Ameya Yokocho’ (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, ‘Ame’ also stands for ‘America’, because alot of American products used to available when the street was the site of a black market in the years following World War 2” (japan-guide.com).
Address for where the two streets meet:
4 Chome-7 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
We arrived to the market around 10AM on a Friday and it was packed. Since the market splits into two about 150m from the front entrance, the pathways start to get smaller and cramped dependent on the amount of people walking through. It’s contains more than 400 shops within a 500m stretch. At the split, the left side continues as Ameyoko and the right side splits off into Uechun shopping street.
On Ameyoko you’ll find street food, seafood, fruit, vegetables and other food vendors and shops; on Uechun there’s more of a variety of clothing, shoes and accessory shops. Great area overall to get souvenirs as well - and there are some discount and tax-free shops sprinkled here and there. When we purchased any kind of street foods, I’d pop into a side alley way since there’d be almost no people hanging in those areas, and enjoy the food off to the side. You don’t want to be walking and eating (Tabearuki, 食べ歩き) your food anyways since it’s against cultural etiquette and customs. I felt like I could spend an entire day here because there’s also a nearby temple. Check out this list of shop recommendations here. Other places nearby that you can checkout while you’re in Ueno include Ueno Park which is popular for viewing cherry blossoms when its the season, Ueno Zoological Gardens, various museums and Nezu Shrine.
TIPS FOR VISITING
Bring reusable bags to avoid accruing plastic shopper bags
Bring hand sanitizer and napkins, and or wet wipes. If you’re eating food from a street vendor that has no seating, you’ll want an easy way to clean your hands
Wear comfortable shoes
Try this free booking tour
Research places to shop if you are looking for specific items
Bring cash/coins to make it easier and quicker to makes purchases
