Ameyoko Street (アメ横)

Ameyoko Street offers one of those rare Tokyo cultural experiences that is not only interesting and engaging, but also current and completely authentic. An adventure through the main thoroughfare, side streets, and hidden malls is a nice way to spend an afternoon. And you'll be joined by throngs of locals doing their daily shopping and bargain hunting,

The street is conveniently located near Ueno station, and it follows the Yamanote line (the main train line that circles around central Tokyo) from Ueno to Okachimachi station. (Incidentally, while in Ueno, you can actually find some indie sofubi at the famous Yamashiroya toy store, which I'll be writing about soon.)

There's a lot to see and do on Ameyoko Street.

You've got your seafood sellers,...

 More after the jump:

dried good stalls,...

tea sellers,...

and a bunch of clothing stores,...

...not to mention fireworks and food stalls - both of which can lead to explosions of different forms.

There's also a big discount supermarket right in the middle of the madness.

Check out those Pocky prices!

Then you've got traditional and modern candy stores, which Ameyoko is famous for.

 

Candy toys. (See you knew I'd work the toys in somehow. ;-)

Bulk gum.

It's a Mario gum!

Nice Pez selection

There are also lots of little places for drinks and snacks.

And you can even visit a temple.

Once you're done strolling around the area, if you're jonesin' for some toys, you can walk to Studio Uamou, which is about 15 minutes down the road. (see the KK Tokyo Toy map) And from there it's 5 minutes to Liberty, Mandarake, and the other Akihabara toy shops.