Ame Yocco Market, Market street beneath railway tracks in Ueno, Japan.
Ame Yocco Market is a covered shopping corridor running beneath railway tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations, stretching about 400 meters with over 400 shops. The passage holds fishmongers, clothing stores, accessory vendors, and sellers of traditional foods and regional specialties.
The market grew from black market trading after World War II, dealing in American products among the city ruins, and became regulated as a formal shopping district in 1946. Its transformation reflects Tokyo's recovery and the shift toward normal commerce in the postwar years.
The market takes its name from a candy shop owner, reflecting its heritage in sweets and local goods. Vendors still practice tatakiuri, a distinctive selling method where they tap boxes with sticks while filling bags, creating a lively dialogue between buyer and seller.
You can enter from either end: the Shinobazu Exit of JR Ueno Station or from JR Okachimachi Station, giving you flexibility in how you navigate the corridor. The crowds are heaviest on weekends, so visiting on a weekday morning offers a more relaxed experience.
Prices here are often lower than elsewhere in Tokyo, especially for seasonal fruits and fresh seafood that rotate through the year. Many visitors discover small shops tucked into corners selling handcrafted items and regional goods that would be hard to find anywhere else in the city.
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