Ameyoko Market, Ueno: How to Get There, How Long to Stay and What to Know

Ameyoko, short for Ameya Yokocho, is a market along the railway in Taito Ward, Tokyo, stretching between Ueno and Okachimachi stations. It is said to have grown from a post-war black market. Today it brings together fresh seafood, dried goods, sweets, spices, cosmetics, sneakers and clothing. The short answer is that it suits grazing and browsing on foot, takes little time, and is lively and crowded, especially at weekends.

Highlights

• Seafood stalls with crab and grilled items sold by the piece for tasting as you walk
• Dry goods and snack shops with nuts, dried fruit and Japanese sweets
• Cosmetics, sneaker and clothing shops lined up side by side
• The vendors calling to customers, a defining part of the market's atmosphere

How to get there

The easiest start is Ueno Station on the JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku line: take the Park Exit and cross the road into the market, or alight at Okachimachi on the same lines and walk the other way. The Ueno end tends to be livelier, and the Okachimachi end a little calmer. It is also a short walk across the road from Ueno Park, and the Ginza, Hibiya and Oedo subway stations are close by.

Hours and tickets

There is no entry ticket since it is an open shopping district, but each shop keeps its own hours, which can change by day, season and festival period. Some eateries stay open into the evening, while many goods stalls close sooner. Prices differ by shop and day, so no figures appear here; check hours with the local merchants' association or the shop you want.

How many hours to allow

Simply walking from one end to the other takes little time, but with tasting, photos and browsing, allow one to two hours. If you are hunting for something specific such as cosmetics or sneakers, you may need longer to compare several shops.

Best time to go

Midday to afternoon is when most shops are open and the atmosphere is liveliest. Morning is calmer but some shops are not yet open. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and the end of the year draws shoppers stocking up for the New Year, making it particularly crowded; avoid it if you dislike crowds.

A good way to enjoy the market is not to buy the first appealing thing you see. Walk the whole length once to compare goods and prices, then go back for what you liked, since shops selling similar items are often lined up side by side. For snacks eaten on the street, carry a bag for rubbish and some wet tissues, because some stalls have no seating and the lanes are narrow, so finish eating before walking on to avoid bumping into people. Some shops accept only cash or a limited range of payment methods, so keep some cash with you, and ask before photographing goods or the people selling them.

Nearby

Across the road is Ueno Park, with its museums, zoo and Shinobazu Pond. A walk or short ride leads to Akihabara for electronics and anime fans, and the quieter Yanaka district is within walking range if you have time.

Tips

• Carry cash and coins, since many small shops take cash only
• Check prices before buying and compare several shops, as similar goods can be priced differently
• Do not block the path when taking photos, as lanes are narrow and busy
• Eat at the stall or at spots shops provide, and take your rubbish with you

A frequent mistake is arriving in the evening to find many stalls shut, or buying fresh food without thinking how long it will keep. If you plan to take dried goods back to Thailand, check the Thai import rules for food first, and avoid carrying heavy purchases all day.

Translating price signs, checking food ingredients and opening a map in a crowded market all call for data. An eSIM installed before departure helps a great deal.

日本のeSIMプランを見る

よくある質問