Ameya Yokocho

Ameya-​Yokocho is a famous shopping «street» in the Ueno area — just a few short blocks from the park and the train station. There are a lot of shops selling souvenirs or just regular Japanese products. There are a lot of drug stores so it’s a great place to stock up on your Japanese products — face masks, foot masks, everything masks!
There are also a lot of food options ranging from taiyaki to sushi conveyor belts to yakitori spots. It does get pretty crowded midday since it’s a popular place to buy fresh food products as well so all the residents will go to do some shopping as well.

Ameyayokocho is one of your local almost hidden market style shopping areas! It’s not very big market area but good enough for me as I was excited about their prices. This is very close to the Ueno JR Station so its easy to get to. Sometimes, certain stores have the same stuff sold but others, you can find a better deal. I have not seen anyone bargain here but then I can’t really understand them. I try to see the gestures of their conversations but I still don’t think they bargain here.
I was able to find many of the things I was looking for to bring home like my loose matcha tea. They gave samples you can try and showed displays of the loose tea they offered. Some offer tea pots that I am looking for and even Hello Kitty was sold here. They had Japan labeled shirts and bags for cheaper prices then the prime tourist spots. There are some food places within the market as well to eat. Make sure to ask for English menus.
This is definitely a place to go for better prices when in this part of town.

When it comes to urban life in any cities around the world, there is a theory that I believe is true. It clearly explains relationship between the depth (and width, of course) of culture and the quality of experience: the harder you get in, the better outcome you can get afterward. To this extent, «Ameyoko» is the place to be if you would like to enjoy deep local experience quite casually. You can enjoy not only shopping but also dining out. Some places have English (or Chinese) menu and staffs who are fluent with those languages.

I didn’t find this place too exciting especially compared to other shopping places but it’s def a place to check out and visit. I wish I went to the Ueno Park but didn’t get a chance to.

Ameyoko is located between Ueno and Okachimachi station and along to JR line. There are about 400 shops on this street.
Ameyoko had started black market after world war 2, and changed clean market in 50’s — 70’s.
Now Ameyoko has various type of store, such as, seafood, sports goods, clothes, restaurants and etc.
This is good attraction to touch old shopping shops in Tokyo.

Large variety of shops down this busy Y shaped alley near Ueno station and Ueno Park, including supermarkets and arcades. We had the most fun at the claw machines. Sadly, we didn’t win anything as they have a weak grip. I found the souvenir shops near Sensoji Temple to have better looking merchandise (not sure about the prices).

With over 10 million visitors, Ueno Park is arguably the most visited park in Tokyo. And Ameyayokocho is a busy market street closeby. The name translates roughly to «candy store alley» because candy was traditionally sold here. (Stephanie S. and I didn’t see any though!?)
There are tons of food stalls, restaurants, and stores here for you to browse through. Although a lot of the restaurants were packed with people, none of them really stood out to us. After checking out a lot of the cute stores, where we didn’t buy anything either, we left.

A crazy crowded place but fun.
There are other places under the nearby buildings where you can find some exotic herbs and spices and some other exotic ingredients.
Restaurants and different stores selling all kinds of trinkets, chocolate and what nots.
A great place to shop for those needed omiyage.

Ameyayokocho in Ueno. Conveniently located near the train station, I come here every single time I’ve been to Japan. Why? Cheap stuff with pretty darn good quality.
If you need dry goods like preserved scallops, genmai cha, cuttlefish, etc. They have it. If you want kitchen appliances or home goods, look no further. Heck if you want clothes and shoes this place has got it.
It’s hard to compare it to anything in the US but I’d say it’s a larger street fair with the occasional higher end retailing interwoven within the market. You can also find electronics, pharmacy’s…like said everything short of buying a car. Granted it does get crowded here but that’s the fun of people watching as well as eating some pretty darn good food.
I’d recommend to anyone looking to buy «omiyage» to take home or to buy something for yourself, to come to Ameyayokocho. Make sure you hit the Mr. Donuts for treats that kick you in the ass. Actually just make it bigger… because I’m not a sweets guy but damn their treats are good.

I love places like this — chaotic, crowded, and random. What’s that? A store selling The Simpsons cookies with packaging that doesn’t seem to reference any legit Simpsons licensing? A booth selling German sneakers that a native German has never heard of? Yes please!
That being said, it’s not for everyone. I’m not sure if you really get the best deals, but it’s fantastic people watching and I enjoyed the best takoyaki I’ve had to– date. Its easy to wander for hours enjoying the sites and scenery. If that’s your bag, this place is for you!

Is it crazy that I didn’t find not one Candy Store?
This place was INSANELY crowded on the day we went (a Sunday) and after walking most of the street — we ducked into one of the side alleys to the main street. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people crammed into that small space.
Now, while I didn’t see any candy (the reason we actually came here) I did see fruits, kabobs, t shirts, bags, shoes and various other quick bites to pick up.
We did end up eating at a fantastic Chinese restaurant not too far from here, so the cross city trip wasn’t all lost. Wouldn’t recommend any out of towners come here — at least not on the weekend.

I love the hustle and bustle of Ameyoko. This marketplace is lined up of several streets full of people shopping around. You can find anything from sneakers to toys to seafood to takoyaki here. They have American goods as well and some pretty dank Japanese street food. Some good restaurant shops are here and you can tell they’re good from the long lines that exist at night even during the cold weather (bring cash, card not often accepted!). There’s also some cafes and clubs nearby though I haven’t ventured that far into them yet.
A great tip I’d say is to take the detour through Ameyoko on the way to Akihabara if you’re coming from Ueno station or hotel.

¿Os acordáis de Blade Runner? ¿O del quinto elemento? ¿Del chiringuito enano con letras que «sabe-​dios» de que idioma vienen donde puedes encontrarte prácticamente cualquier cosa? Pues bienvenido al Ameyoko.
El mercado de Ameyoko se encuentra en el lateral del barrio de Ueno y se vertebra entre la salida de la estacion de la línea JR-​Ueno, llegando hasta la estación de Okachimachi de la misma compañía, mayoritariamente bajo las vías de tren de la Yamanote el Keisei Skyliner y la autopista Shuto, techado por el urbanismo, plagado de puestos de todo tipo, lo que le da un ambiente unico.
Encontrarás todo tipo de restauración, ramen, udon, sushi, tenpanyaki y muuuuuuuuchas izakayas, locales enanos donde pedir platos para compartir en torno a una Asahi de litro … una delicia. También tiendas de zapatillas, caramelos, tecnología (vease el Yodobashi de 8 plantas donde encontrarás todo tipo de cacharros) y cualquier tipo de producto duty free. Para finalizar sitios especializados en postres como Mr Donut donde terminar la noche.
Una razón mas para hospedarse cerca de Ueno, sin duda.

If you’re in the area take a stroll down this street. There are a ton of sellers selling various things. There are high end stores, discount stores, food stores, and everything in between. I saw great deals on sneakers and picked up some discount candy from a huge candy store. I grabbed some takoyaki from a small stall and it was pretty decent and very inexpensive, it was mesmerizing to watch the girl make them. It’s located between 2 train stops so it’s easy to get to.

The Ameyoko Shopping Street is directly to the west of Ueno station and runs south all the way to Okachimachi station. It’s not a long street per say, but it’s fun and has shops that offer small interesting eats.

Ameyoko or «Ameya Yokocho» (candy store alley)
This area is very busy with both tourists and locals it runs along the Train tracks which is elevated, lots of shops selling various items like Nori (Seaweed), fresh vegetables, seafood both dry and fresh, fruits, several drug stores with many toiletry items, bags, Tshirts, & some touristy items. There are still a few places that sell candy but not very much anymore.
There are also many food vendors with many different snacks and quick meals.
It’s a great place to browse around since there is quite a bit to see.

This is near Ueno Station, which is very convenient for trains, though it is far from Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro.
This sells a lot of things, and there are too many people.
Too many people, too many shops, too many items!
So this is not a Japan-​like place.
This is described East-​Asia-​like rather than that.
This place is the reminder of the time short after the war.
So though you don’t feel this, it is American-​like originally.
To sum up, this is very funny and interesting place!