Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street is the most famous shopping street among Tokyo’s 2400 shopping streets. Besides, it’s the biggest comparing other open markets.
Table of Contents
Location:
Ueno Ameyoko shopping street is in Taito City, Tokyo, located in Ueno, between Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station.
It’s a small bustling traditional Japanese market along the JR Yamanote Line tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi Station, where raw vegetables to electronic goods are available.
The market is a one-minute walk from the central exit of Ueno Station and the JR Okachimachi Station Nort exit.
History:
Japan faced a massive food shortage during World War II. The government could not supply food items because of infrastructure damage.
But local people started a market without government approval. So it’s like like a Black Market.
Ordinary people started selling and buying goods for their needs every day. And the market originated in Ameyoko Street.
So, this Ueno market is historically one of the important spots in Tokyo.
Meaning of Ameyoko:
Ameyoko Shopping Street has a deep meaning.
‘Ame’ means candy, and ‘Ameya’ means candy store. And ‘Yokocho’ means a small path.
However, two words together, ‘Ameyoko’ is a short form of ‘Ameya Yokocho.’ It literally means ‘a small path of a candy store’ in Japanese.
Of course, the official name still bears the real name, ‘Ameya-yokocho.’
It’s worth mentioning Ame or candies are related to Japanese religion and culture. Candies are offered as a blessing at some religious events in Japan.
For example, children receive candies from the shrine as a long-life blessing on the Children’s Celebration Day(Shichi-Go-San).
In short, one of the main reasons why Ameyoko Street became famous is because of the candy tradition. So, there is no doubt that it will remain famous even in the future.
On the other hand, the market’s name came from America. Therefore, lots of American goods were available when the market started.
No matter where the name originated from, it’s a busy shopping street in Tokyo now and familiar as Ueno Ameyoko shopping street worldwide.
Is Ameyoko a tourist spot?
Literally, it’s a market. But, at the same time, it’s a popular tourist spot in Tokyo.
But, many things to see here. So, the market became famous to local and international tourists.
Most hotel concierges recommend their stay guests visit this Ueno Market to experience the traditional Japanese Market.
No doubt, it can be compared to a tourist spot in Tokyo.
Those who visit Tokyo usually try to peep into the open market to experience traditional Japanese markets. Apart from grocers, countless shops and stores are available here.
But, on the other hand, products are cheaper. So even everyone gets a chance to bargain(tatakiuri) for goods.
As a result, tourists can buy good quality products at a lower price. Some popular items are clothes, bags, shoes, dried fruits, and Japanese souvenirs.
This market is always crowded more than Tsukiji Fish Market. However, it gets overcrowded around the Hatsumode(New Year).
Don’t be surprised, seeing the crowd. Actually, it’s fun roaming around Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street.
What’s available in Ameyoko?
Nowadays, the path of the small candy store is a busy market. Therefore, the name of the road has become famous locally and internationally.
Traditionally, markets used to be in the open space in Japan; selling and buying take place there. In this sense, Ameyoko Market is still bearing Japan’s old traditions.
However, Ameyoko retains the tradition. Everything is available here, starting from raw vegetables to electronic products.
The excellent point is that most products are cheap, from branded confectionery items to electronic wares.
Whether vegetables, fresh fish, clothes, dried food, spices, dried seafood, cosmetics, bags, jewelry, leather goods, daily necessities, or electronic goods.
Main Ameyoko & Uechun:
If you enter the market from Ueno Station, you’ll find the street split off into two. The main Ameyoko Street went straight, and the split-off street on the right.
However, these two streets run parallel toward Okachimachi Station.
The name of the split-off street is Ueno Nakadori, but local people call it UECHUN. It remains less crowded than the main shopping street but is the hub of clothes, shoe stores, and street restaurants.
On the other hand, the main street is the hub of raw items, from vegetables to raw fish, and remarkably remains crowded.
The main attraction of the market is its Edo-style atmosphere.
Besides, the atmosphere is
- welcoming
- tourist-friendly
- goods are cheap
- from raw vegetables to modern high-tech electronic items
Furthermore, it’s fun to see such a place in modern Tokyo. Visitors experience the Japanese environment with locals.
What to buy?
As I mentioned above that everything is available here.
You may not have a chance to visit Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa. But Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street will give you a glimpse of the traditional Japanese market.
I guess, as a tourist, you may not buy raw items. But I’m sure you’ll find something that you may purchase.
Most tourists buy Japanese footwear, kimonos, snacks, and dried items to take home as a gift for their family members.
One of the famous stores for traditional Japanese footwear is MARUTOKU, located at Uechun. You can find authentic Japanese footwear here.
The store is closed on Tuesday.
Besides, if you want to buy modern footwear, try ABC Mart or IKEDAYA, a few steps from MAUTOKU. But if you like fashionable clothes, you can try MAGAZINES.
Don’t forget to buy sweets from the Niki-no-Kashi store. It’s a confectionary store and keeps about 5,000 kinds of sweets and snacks.
Visit Green Tea Store, where you’ll get green tea candy, lovely green tea cups, and all other green tea-related materials. These goods are perfect for gifts as souvenirs to friends and family members.
Where to eat?
The market is not only famous for shopping but also for restaurants, cafes, fresh food, vegetables, snacks, and Japanese souvenirs. This open-air market has everything you need.
Most of the restaurants keep English menus for international tourists. However, food items like crab, Konbu, and milk are top-rated in Hokkaido items.
At the same time, Okinawa Takoyaki is also a popular item of Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street.
So, you can get whatever you like, from Japanese-style sushi restaurants to American-style pizza and soft drinks to world-class wine.
If you’re not ready to eat lunch, try melon, pineapple, and strawberries that vendors sell on a stick like candy.
But, if you feel like experiencing the local environment, I recommend going to ARAS KEBAB. You can taste delicious food for 500 yen- 600 yen and enjoy how the good-humored vendors of each shop deal with visitors.
At the same time, there are restaurants, bars, and Japanese-style ramen restaurants at Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street. So you can try as you like.
Best place for photo:
You can take photos of all the shops and goods. However, it’s polite to ask permission from the shoppers before taking a shot.
At the same time, taking photos of the street or from outside is usual.
But, as a blogger or photographer, you may not be satisfied taking photos near. So, you may want to find a place from where you can take a landscape shot.
Yes, I have good information for you.
The two top spots for taking the market entrance from the Ueno Station side are two-
- JR Ueno Station overbridge
- Ueno no Mori Sakura Terrace
Follow the stairs nearby Katuraku restaurant to Ueno no Mori Sakura Terrace. You’ll get a good shot from Sakura Terrace in the evening.
Some famous Stores:
There are numerous large shopping malls at Ameyoko.
However, Ameyoko Center Building, Ameyoko Plaza, Underground Asian Market, Yodobashi Camera, and UNIQLO are worth mentioning.
You’ll find famous Japanese game centers, like Game Taito Station and Pachinko. Besides, there are big entertainment karaoke centers.
The underground Market is called the Asian Market. All the best and unique vegetables, seafood, meat, and hot spices are available here.
Some of the food items are not produced in Japan because Japanese people usually don’t eat such things that are also available at this underground market.
So, the underground market is a popular place for other non-Japanese Asians.
Surrounding areas:
Ueno is one of the famous districts in Taito-ku, and Ueno Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan, which is only a short walk from the Ameyoko toward the Ueno Zoo.
Do you know Ueno Park is a hub of the famous museum? The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo Nationa Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, and National Museum of Western Art.
Besides, if you want to explore, you can arrive on foot at Akihabara in just 10 minutes, but by train, just a 4-minute ride.
Furthermore, it has easy access to Asakusa, Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple, Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Hibiya Park, and Ikebukuro by train.
Opening hours:
10:00-20:00
The market is open every day.
Ameyoko Shopping Street opening hours and days depend on the owners of the stores. For example, some of the stores keep closed on Wednesdays.
Entrance Fee:
Free
Access:
Ameyoko street is between Ueno and Okachimachi JR Station.
Ueno JR Station (Exit-E)
Tokyo Metro Ueno Station(Exit-5B)
Ueno-Hirokoji Station(Exit-A2,A5,A7)
Okachimachi Station (North Exit)
All are within a one-minute walk distance.
Note: Ueno Station is huge and has connections with all downtown Tokyo areas. JR Ueno Station and Subway are connected.
Address:
Ueno Ameyoko shopping street, 10 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Conclusion:
Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street is a must-visit shopping destination for all Tokyo visitors.
Not only does this street have a wide variety of products to choose from, but it is also a great place to get acquainted with the local culture. From fashion to food to souvenirs, Ameyoko shopping street has something for everyone. Check out my blog for more information about this fascinating shopping street!
So, try to visit Ameyoko while you’re in Tokyo.
Book reasonable Hotels in Tokyo: