Ameyoko is a bustling street market located in the Ueno district of Tokyo, Japan. The name “Ameyoko” is a shortened form of “Ameya Yokocho,” which means “candy store alley” in Japanese.
Originally, after World War II, Ameyoko was known as a black market for American goods that were left behind by US military personnel stationed in Japan. However, today, Ameyoko has transformed into a lively marketplace that sells a wide variety of goods, including fresh seafood, spices, clothing, electronics, and souvenirs.
The vibrant atmosphere of Ameyoko is created by the vendors who shout out their sales pitches to attract customers and the shoppers who haggle over prices to get the best deals.
Ameyoko is not just a place to shop but also a place to experience the unique culture of Tokyo. The market is always busy, especially on weekends and holidays when both locals and tourists flock to the area to enjoy the shopping and street food.
With Ueno Park being just down the road, this is a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm (usual opening hours of shops, hours may vary place by place)
- Free (excluding goods purchased)
- Average Time Spent: 30 minutes
- Official Website
Where To Stay
Access
Ameyoko stretches between JR Ueno Station, and JR Okachimachi.
From Tokyo Station, Ueno Station is only a five minute train ride on numerous train lines, with departures every few minutes. From Tokyo Station, it will only cost 170JPY.
From Shibua Station, it is a longer journey of about 30 minutes to Ueno Station, costing 210JPY.
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