{"id":62282,"date":"2025-10-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/?p=62282"},"modified":"2025-09-25T21:24:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T12:24:41","slug":"5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Besides the requisite Takeshita Street in Harajuku and Sensoji\u2019s Nakamise Dori (staples on pretty much every Tokyo itinerary), here are five lesser-known Tokyo shopping streets. Each one has its own unique character, for a local&#8217;s eye-view of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<nav class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table\"><ol><li class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table__level-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents__entry\" href=\"#1-togoshi-ginza\">1. Togoshi Ginza<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table__level-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents__entry\" href=\"#2-yanaka-ginza\">2. Yanaka Ginza<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table__level-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents__entry\" href=\"#3-nakano-sun-mall-nakano-broadway\">3. Nakano Sun Mall &amp; Nakano Broadway<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table__level-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents__entry\" href=\"#4-ameya-yokocho\">4. Ameya Yokocho<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-gplus-anchor-table__level-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents__entry\" href=\"#5-sugamo-jizo-dori\">5. Sugamo Jizo-Dori<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-framed-heading\" id='1-togoshi-ginza'>1. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.togoshiginza.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Togoshi Ginza<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Sign2-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Togoshi Ginza on a clear Saturday afternoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Under a sky devoid of power lines (having been removed in 2016), the charming Togoshi Ginza feels distant from the modern era and the swanky Ginza it borrowed its name from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With shops <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">crammed full of miscellaneous items (known as\u00a0<em>zakka<\/em>), from secondhand Le Creuset pots to pre-loved jewelry, Togoshi Ginza is a place of hidden treasures. Retroism even extends to food and beverages<\/span>.<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/milk.togoshiginza.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Togoshi Ginza\u2019s Milk Shop<\/strong><\/a> sells Meiji milk and dairy products in classic glass bottles. T<\/span>hey<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> even offer<\/span> home delivery within the Shinagawa ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2.jpeg\" alt=\"Exterior: zakka store in Togoshi Ginza\" class=\"wp-image-62304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Togoshi-Ginza-Zack2-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Exterior: zakka store in Togoshi Ginza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After an afternoon of thumbing through old records and other bits and bobs from decades past, take a breather at <a href=\"https:\/\/togoshihachiman.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Togoshi Hachiman Shrine<\/strong><\/a>. It has cozy couches as well as friendly and well-fed (no doubt a correlation there) shrine cats, tucked away in a residential area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where: <\/strong>1-15-16 Togoshi, Shinagawa City, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access: <\/strong>Directly outside Togoshi Ginza Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-framed-heading\" id='2-yanaka-ginza'>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yanakaginza.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yanaka Ginza<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign.jpeg\" alt=\"Yanaka Ginza\" class=\"wp-image-62307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yanaka-Ginza-Sign-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Archway at the entrance of Yanaka Ginza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet another Tokyo shopping street that adopted the name \u201cGinza\u201d (in hopes of attaining its namesake\u2019s prosperity). Yanaka Ginza is an old-school Tokyo shotengai with its own affiliation to cats. Seven lucky cat statues are placed along the street. Some are in plain view, while others gaze over the shopping street silently\u2014so realistic that one might even mistake them for the real thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When stray cats started taking over the area, kitschy kitty-themed shops also made themselves at home in Yanaka Ginza. Now, souvenir shops and houseware stores beckon, promising goods for cats and the people who love them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">The feline obsession even extends to street food<\/span>.<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/yanakashippoya.com\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Yanaka <\/strong><\/a><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/yanakashippoya.com\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shippoya<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>sells cat-tail-shaped donuts in<\/span> flavors such as banana cream and\u00a0<em>tora<\/em>\u00a0(tiger), which ha<\/span>s<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> stripes of cocoa and white chocolate.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka.jpeg 950w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka-300x188.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka-768x480.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sunset-Yanaka-380x238.jpeg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yanaka Ginza at sunset, viewed from the top of the Yuuyake Dandan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The famous<em> <\/em><strong><em>Yuuyake Dandan <\/em>(Sunset Staircase)<\/strong> is located at the mouth of the shopping street. It offers a view of the shops below through Yanaka Ginza\u2019s iconic archway. And the nearby <strong>Yanaka Cemetery<\/strong>, famous for its wide, cherry blossom-lined pathways and sprawling grounds, is a peaceful place for a bike ride or stroll to help digest all the shotengai street foods that you no doubt indulged in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where: <\/strong>3-13-1 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access: <\/strong>6-minute walk from JR Nippori Station, west exit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-framed-heading\" id='3-nakano-sun-mall-nakano-broadway'>3. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.heart-beat-nakano.com\/street\/48.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nakano Sun Mall<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/nakano-broadway.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nakano Broadway<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway.jpeg 950w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Broadway-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Entrance to Nakano Broadway through Nakano Sun Mall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On a rainy day, Nakano is the place to take shelter while meandering along the covered shopping arcade, Nakano Sun Mall, and the adjoining shopping complex, Nakano Broadway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting out at the north exit of Nakano Station, the 224-meter-long Nakano Sun Mall houses restaurants, cafes, clothing stores and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right at the entrance from Nakano Station, you\u2019ll find <strong>Oyakidokoro Refutei Nakano<\/strong>. They sell warm-from-the-pan <em>imagawayaki<\/em>, a type of stuffed pancake that\u2019s often filled with red bean or custard. Their sweet potato flavor is a favorite! It has a melt-in-the-mouth filling that\u2019s both hearty and autumnal. It&#8217;s also branded with a cheerful character in the shape of the main ingredient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1-380x285.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Nakano-Imagawayaki1-100x75.jpeg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sweet potato imagawayaki at the entrance of Nakano Sun Mall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Where Nakano Sun Mall ends, Nakano Broadway begins. A collector\u2019s paradise, the retro mall features shops selling manga, electronics and pop culture paraphernalia to rival Akihabara. <strong>Mandarake<\/strong> is one such prominent retailer with several stores in Nakano Broadway, each specializing in a different niche, from Gundam merchandise to cosplay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For food, check out the basement floor of Nakano Sun Mall.<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> T<\/span>here you can find<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> the YouTube-famous\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Dailychiko\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Daily Chico<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Try<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> a tower of ice cream eight scoops high, including flavors like\u00a0<em>ramune\u00a0<\/em>(Japanese soda), black sesame and sweet potato. <\/span>On this level of Nakano Broadway, you\u2019ll also find restaurants, takeout options, and groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wh<\/strong><strong>ere: <\/strong>5-63-3 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access: <\/strong>1-minute walk from JR Nakano Station north exit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-framed-heading\" id='4-ameya-yokocho'>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameyoko.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ameya Yokocho<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-sign-far-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Entrance to Ameya Yokocho, coming from Ueno Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After getting its start as a black market in the years post World War II, Ameya Yokocho (a.k.a. Ameyoko) is now a bustling marketplace for everything from fresh seafood to dried spices to clothing to snacks and candy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some say that Ameya Yokocho means \u201ccandy store alley,\u201d while others say the \u201came\u201d in its name refers to \u201cAmerica.\u201d Regardless, discount candy deals can still be found here alongside an abundance of camo-patterned gear and flashy <em>sukajan<\/em> (souvenir jackets).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus.jpeg\" alt=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\" class=\"wp-image-62288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus-790x445.jpeg 790w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ameyoko-Military-surplus-220x124.jpeg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Store selling camouflage jackets and military-style clothes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The local restaurants and shops can\u2019t contain the excitement and hubbub of Ameyoko, with streetside tables spilling out of izakayas, while revelers snack on portable morsels. Dining al fresco is the way to go here. To escape the crowds, we recommend picking up some items to go for a picnic spread at the neighboring Ueno Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where: <\/strong>6-10 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access: <\/strong>4-minute walk from JR Ueno Station, Shinobazu exit or 2-minute walk from JR Okachimachi Station, north exit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-framed-heading\" id='5-sugamo-jizo-dori'>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/sugamo.or.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sugamo Jizo-Dori<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori-1024x538.jpeg\" alt=\"Sugamo Jizo-Dori\" class=\"wp-image-62297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori-1024x538.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori-300x158.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori-768x404.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori-380x200.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sugamo-Jizo-Dori.jpeg 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sugamo Jizo-Dori archway (center), Togenuki Jizoson Koganji Temple (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been told I have the taste buds of an <em>obaachan <\/em>(granny)<em>\u2014<\/em>maybe it\u2019s my affinity for the sweet red bean paste <em>anko<\/em>\u2014so it\u2019s no wonder that Sugamo, the cheekily named \u201cHarajuku for old ladies,\u201d holds such charm for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Offering little-known snacks like <em>nure senbei <\/em>(literally \u201cwet rice crackers\u201d) from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.e-fujiichi.co.jp\/sugamo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Raijindo<\/strong><\/a> and more traditional <em>wagashi<\/em> (traditional Japanese sweets) like the anko-stuffed <em>shio daifuku<\/em> (salted mochi) from <a href=\"https:\/\/shiodaifuku.co.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Mizuno<\/strong><\/a>, Sugamo\u2019s Jizo-Dori shopping street teems with good eats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along the way, you\u2019ll find <strong>Togenuki Jizoson Koganji Temple<\/strong>, which is the go-to place to pray for relief from your ailments (<em>togenuki<\/em> meaning \u201cthorn removal\u201d). Also, keep an eye out for shops selling lucky red underwear<em>\u2014<\/em>though we\u2019re pretty sure you won\u2019t miss these scarlet beacons!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where: <\/strong>4-22-8 Sugamo, Toshima City, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access: <\/strong>3 minute walk from JR Sugamo Station<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Full of charm, heart and tasty street food, discover the individual character of each of these Tokyo shopping streets; revisit them like old books and you\u2019re sure to find even more to love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A world of unassuming, under-visited and unimaginably charming Tokyo shopping streets await; beckoning with tasty handheld bites, pop cultural paraphenalia and many, many cats!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":62312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_subtitle":"Local Shotengai That Have Harajuku\u2019s Takeshita Street Beat","footnotes":""},"categories":[42,41,1283,248,368,1286],"tags":[586],"promotion":[],"class_list":["post-62282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-lifestyle","category-neighborhood-guide","category-out-about","category-shopping","category-trending","tag-shopping"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan - Savvy Tokyo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A world of unassuming, under-visited and unimaginably charming Tokyo shopping streets awaits, beckoning with many, many cats!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan - Savvy Tokyo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A world of unassuming, under-visited and unimaginably charming Tokyo shopping streets awaits, beckoning with many, many cats!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Savvy Tokyo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tokyosavvy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-01T23:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/iStock-1070323680.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1254\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"837\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rika Hoffman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rika Hoffman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rika Hoffman\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b590a301244de6fa13fe6fc3e182283b\"},\"headline\":\"5 Charming Tokyo Shopping Streets For a Taste of Local Japan\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-01T23:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/\"},\"wordCount\":1092,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savvytokyo.com\/5-charming-tokyo-shopping-streets-for-a-taste-of-local-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.savvytokyo.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/iStock-1070323680.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"shopping\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Food\",\"Lifestyle\",\"Neighborhood Guide\",\"Out &amp; 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