entrance to ameya yokocho
candy vendor
fruit vendor
Located just steps from Ueno park in the heart of Tokyo is a scene common to many cities around the world, just a bit different. Similar to a “china town” found in many other cities, Ameya Yokocho once use to be the home of black market good during WWII, but today is a bustling shopping district of small vendors, street food and restaurants. Bargains are to be had and fresh fruit, meat and seafood easily obtained.
Translated as “Candy store alley”, one of the first vendors that I came across was a stand that seem to be selling candy, but this wasn’t just any ordinary sales technique. It more or less resembled an auction with the sales person holding a box of candy up in the air, yelling a price and throwing it into the bag for the customer. It appeared as though he would continue to do so until the customer had said enough. Seeing as though I don’t understand any Japanese, i really can’t say for certain what was going on. It was entertaining none the less.
In addition to the interesting candy shop, there are countless number of vendors selling food such as super fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables and meat available for purchase.
Besides the plethora of unprepared food, there are many restaurants and street vendors selling great prepared items such as pancakes, crackers, rice wraps (not sure what they are called) and other items on any given day.
This is definitely a great area to visit for some local flavor and cheap…good…eats.
To get here, simply get off at Ueno station of the JR Line, Ginza (g16) line or Hibiya (h17).
some tasty pancake
filled with red bean paste
rice in a wrap
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