Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street

Ameya-Yokochō, often simply called “Ameyoko,” is a lively shopping street in Taitō Ward, Tokyo. It stretches for about 400 meters beneath and along the west side of the elevated railway tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi Stations on the Yamanote Line. It is one of the most representative open-air markets in central Tokyo.

The origin of the name “Ameya-Yokochō” is closely tied to its historical background. After World War II, this area was a black market where goods from the U.S. military were sold. As a result, “Ame” is generally believed to be an abbreviation of “America.” Another explanation suggests that the name came from the many shops selling ame (traditional Japanese candy, which is also pronounced “ame” in Japanese), giving the area the alternative name “Candy Alley.”

Today, Ameyoko is no longer limited to candy shops. The street is lined with a wide variety of stalls and stores selling dried seafood, fresh produce, trendy clothing, shoes, watches, cosmetics, and regional specialties from across Japan. With its affordable prices and diverse atmosphere, it is a great place to experience the everyday life of ordinary Tokyo residents. At the end of the year, it becomes a bustling destination for Tokyoites preparing New Year’s food, filled with a festive spirit and regarded as one of the symbolic scenes of the year-end and New Year season.

Ameyoko frequently appears in Japanese popular culture as well. In the 2013 hit morning drama Amachan, the talent agency that the heroine belonged to was based in Ameyoko, where they formed the fictional idol groups “Ameyoko Jogakuen” and “GMT47.” In addition, in the manga and anime series Mitsuboshi Colors, one of the protagonists, Kotoha’s friend Sacchan’s family runs the fruit and vegetable store “Kise Fruits,” which is set in Ameyoko.