Ameya-Yokochō

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Ameya-Yokochō, commonly called Ameyoko, is a busy open-air market in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, right next to Ueno Station. The market covers about 164,000 square feet (around 15,257 square meters) and runs along the Yamanote Line from behind the Yodobashi Camera building down to the Komuro area.

There are more than 250 shops selling a wide range of goods, from fresh food and seafood to clothes, accessories, and other merchandise. It’s a bustling place where you can find bargains and street food as you stroll through the stalls.

The name Ameyoko has two main theories. One says it comes from ame-ya, meaning “candy shop,” because candy stores lined the street in the early post-war era when sugar was scarce. The other theory links the name to America, since surplus American army goods were once sold there after World War II. Today, the market is simply known as Ameyoko.

Ameyoko is easily accessible from Ueno and nearby Okachimachi Station, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking for affordable goods and lively shopping street atmosphere.