Ueno - Ameyoko Market ni Yokoso!

If you're looking for a place in Tokyo that still offers the sounds, sights and smells of Asia, without getting on a plane, Ameyoko Market in Ueno is the place to go to, with its vibrant and bustling ambience, boisterous litter of stalls, friendly and lively vendors, and brimming crowd of international shoppers.

Legend says that the name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" which literally means "candy store alley". Candies flourished in the area during the difficult days right after the end of World War II when everything was in short supply; when Ueno thrived as a black market for imported goods. On the other hand, "Ame" also stands for "America" because a lot of American products were available on the black market.

Styled like an Asian bazaar, Ameyoko is lined with more than 500 discount stores and food shops selling various commodities such as cosmetics, apparel, fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, dried food, spices, herbs and condiments from all over Asia and all sorts of consumer perishables.

There are also many eating places in the heart of the market where sliced fruits like melon, pineapple and watermelon, ramen noodle, shawarma, curried rice, sushi, Korean barbecue and other typical Japanese dishes can be enjoyed.

Another attraction of Ameyoko is chocolate vendors selling packs of chocolates that come with tons of "omake" or bonuses, for only 1,000 yen.

During weekends, it seems that the entire Asian and foreign population of Tokyo, chattering in a multitude of tongues, which includes Filipinos, Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Thais, Indonesians, Koreans, Russians, South American Latinos, and even the locals, to name a few, concentrate here for a buy of Asian favorites that is difficult to find in local supermarkets. You name it, Ameyoko has it. Plus the ear-filling sounds of stallkeepers and shoppers arguing and vying with each other for the best come hither sales persuasions this side of the East.

Ameyoko is remarkably popular for its jam-packed stores that offers unusual items, bargain prices and a no-frills shopping experience. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is closed every third Wednesday of the month. The place is especially busy the last few days of the year as the locals and visitors flock its street to prepare for the new year. Who has not heard of Ameyoko and its year-end sales and shopping sprees!

How to Get There:

A minute walk from Ueno Station or Okachimachi Station on JR Yamanote Line, or Uenohirokoji Station on Ginza Subway Line.

*published in the January '08 issue of "Let's Tour Tokyo", Philippine Digest*

*photos by Florenda Corpuz*