Top 5 Streets to see in Tokyo

Photo by Danny Choo – Wikimedia

Top 5 Streets to see in Tokyo

Tokyo is the cultural hub of Japanese culture. You will find all you need be it fashion, food, nightlife, or art.

The skyscrapers, streets and other landmarks in this city offer diverse experiences for both locals and foreign travellers.

Several streets offer you the best shopping experience, some have street fashion, while others are ready to be explored for its street food and nightlife.

You will also find old shopping streets, famous streets and touristy streets too. Here are the top 5 streets to see on your next trip to Tokyo.

1. Shotengai

By Kiyok – Wikimedia

Shotengai is a popular street in Tokyo. It means a street of stores.

The name of this street has a cultural and communal significance deeply rooted in the Japanese way of life.

It dates back to the 16^th century when the street became a gathering spot for retailers. They later formed a trade association to regulate their businesses.

The shopping district in Shotengai is found along the train station area.

There are local grocery stores, food vendors, cafés, hair salons, drug stores and several antique stores.

This street is separated from the residential areas in its vicinity.

Walking down this street you will feel the lively and vibrant ambience that meticulously blends the old and new Japanese cultures.

This is one of the streets in Tokyo that keeps the Japanese culture and tradition alive.

2. Yanaka Ginza

By Doricono – Wikimedia

Yanaka street is where you can experience Japanese traditional lifestyle. This street is found in a shopping district of the same name.

This shopping street has all the essential products for the daily lives of the Japanese people. It is the best place to get yourself, family or friend, a souvenir.

You will also find foods such as korokke, ice cream and dumplings. There is no getting bored or tired while on this street.

It is a wide street and good for a stroll with family as you window shop or looks for Japanese antique stores. The souvenirs are unique and cheaper here.

This street is a short walking distance from Nippori station. Walking down the street you will catch the Edo period vibe.

One thing you will notice on this popular street cats. Most of the stores sell cat-themed items.

3. Sunamachi Ginza

Another street worth visiting in Tokyo is Sunamachi Ginza. It is 15-minutes away from the nearest subway.

This street has been attracting several tourists because of its famous restaurants.

The restaurants here specialize in Japanese traditional foods such as hot pot, oden and yakitori. It’s the price and quality of food on this street that makes it popular.

Walking through this street you will feel the warmth and friendliness of the Japanese people.

There are frequent sales and discounts on goods in the stores and supermarkets on this street.

To get the best out of the sale, go early because it tends to get crowded.

This street dates back to 1963 and has more than 200 retail stores and extends for about 700 metres. The signs on the stores are brightly coloured.

4. Togoshi Ginza

By Wikipedia

Next Tokyo shopping street is Togoshi Ginza. The main reason that will take you to this street will be eating foods.

This is one of the longest shopping streets in Tokyo. It stretches for about 1.3 kilometres and may take about 2 hours to explore it.

There are several stalls in the shopping area with unique Japanese street foods. Some of the delicious cuisine you will get here Oden, korokke, and Mochi.

They are normally served in small portions therefore you have the chance to sample as many kinds as possible.

Some of the famous desserts you will find on this street include ice cream and green tea parfait.

There is a store here that sells special salt known as solco. The best-selling salt here is truffle salt. You cannot get bored exploring this street.

5. Nakano

Photo by Danny Choo – Wikimedia

This street has several university-related facilities and is known as a student town.

This means that the main streets here are lined with casual bars, reasonable priced izakaya and unique stores.

When on this street, go on a drinking spree in the many Izakaya and bars on this street.

Nakano has another level of uniqueness that keeps attracting its visitors. It is the street that is known as the meeting place for the Japanese subcultures.

One of the most popular places on this street is Nakano Broadway. You will find anime, manga, video games and other stores selling Japanese pop culture related items.

This street is a famous landmark and centre for Japanese pop and otaku culture. Listen to different types of music that sets the mood depending on the time of day.