The Local Japanese Experience: Kanto's Top Shopping Streets

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A shotengai or shopping street, is a street lined with small shops that supports the daily lives of those living in the area. Here you can find greengrocers, fishmongers, delis and more.

Written by

Miho Moriya

Tokyo,Japan

MATCHA editor and freelance writer. Born, raised, and currently living in Tokyo. Have visited over 30 countries and lived in four different prefectures. I have traveled to almost all 47 prefectures in Japan! I try to create articles that help convey the charms of a destination through words and pictures. I love forests, temples, and camels.

From: Enjoy Okinawa in Tokyo - Just 10 Minutes from Shinjuku Station!
You can enjoy regional cuisines and shopping for items only available in Okinawa prefecture while staying in the city at Suginami Izumi Shotengai . With the goal of making Suginami ward more vibrant, this shopping street decided to focus its efforts on having an area based around Okinawa, which is one of the most popular prefectures for vacations in Japan. You will find this "Okinawa Town" at Daitabashi Station, on the Keio Line, or in a ten minute walk from Shinjuku.

A Miscellaneous Shopping Street: Machida's Nakamise Shotengai

From: Enjoy Fried Soup Dumplings Xiao Long Bao At Nakamise Shopping Street
The Nakamise Shotengai in Machida in the western part of Tokyo has a 50 year long history and is said to be Ameyoko of the west. Here you will find plenty of izakayas, coupon and ticket purchasing shops, even pet shops, lining this exciting, multi-faceted shopping street. We recommend the fried shoronbo (xiao long bao buns) and imagawayaki (red bean paste buns here.

A Short Distance from Kanto...

From: Enjoy The Sea And Hot Springs: Atami Mattari Shopping Street (Japanese)
Shizuoka prefecture's famed hot spring resort, Atami (Japanese) Station has two shopping streets lined up next to one another. When you leave Atami station, on the right side you'll find Heiwa Dori Shotengai, and on the left, the Nakamise Shotengai. Here you can find unique foods from Atami, such as the hot spring specialty onsen manju (sweet hot spring dumplings), and, thanks to the close proximity of the sea, fresh sundried fish too.

Shopping streets are ideal places to not only look for souvenirs, but to also experience the daily lives of the Japanese. Why not visit and feel "Real Japan" for yourself?

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Written by

Miho Moriya

Tokyo,Japan

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