vol.01
2021.01.25
It's an age of convenience. Massive department stores and online shopping offer fast access to a variety of goods. On the other hand, they can't provide a local shopping experience.
At the local market streets known as shotengai, shopping is more than just "convenient." These streets hold lively traces of traditional Japanese lifestyles that remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
We want to share the charms of these local shopping streets with people all over the world. MATCHA Stories is sharing the culture of shotengai, the traditional shopping streets!
While the phrase "shopping street" can be used to describe any place where shops line an avenue, a traditional Japanese shopping street is one that sells daily necessities for local residents. You can find clothing, delicious meats and vegetables, restraunts, and more. The small shops ensure a charming, local eperience. Many vendors also have street stalls, so it's a great place to enjoy a relaxed stroll.
Let's dive in and experience a unique side of Japan that you won't find at a tourist hot spot!
A shotengai is a shopping spot that caters to the needs of the nearby local residents. From vegetables, meat and fish to daily use items, you can find almost anything in a shotengai. There are unique foods and souvenirs that can only be found here!
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Shimofuri Ginza Shotengai is a five-minute walk from JR Komagome Station. You'll find a shopping street stretching for 250 meters lined with about 50 stores. Established in 1953, these retailers have strived to keep up with the times. Read on to learn about its history, shops, and local delicacies!
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Already visited all of the famous spots in Tokyo? How about taking a walk for cheap eats in an area frequented by Tokyo natives? Learn about Jujo Ginza Shopping Arcade in Kita Ward for a different experience from classic sightseeing spots.
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LOOK Shotengai is a convenient shopping street for locals with an array of mom-and-pop stores only found here. There’s an endless variety from long-established retailers to newly-opened shops where the owners achieving their dreams! Learn more about these unique stores in this article.
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The ‘Shitamachi Ninjo Kirakira Tachibana Shoutengai’ is a 400-meter arcade of quaint, nostalgic shops and food offering an authentic peek into retro Japan! Here we’ll guide you through this slice of history and reveal some of our favorite spots.
A Contemporary Take on Japanese Tradition
