Craving a taste of old Tokyo? Sunamachi Ginza Shopping Street offers just that. This 670-meter-long street is packed with about 130 stores. It is a step back in time.
Sunamachi Ginza was named in 1932. It was named after Ginza-Dori shopping street. At that time, Ginza-Dori was considered the best in Japan. Sunamachi Ginza is one of the three major “Ginza shopping streets”. The others are Togoshi Ginza and Jujo Ginza.
Here, you can rub shoulders with locals. Sample tasty street food along the way. The smells are tempting and the businesses are mostly family-run. It’s a convivial spot. Experience Tokyo’s less high-tech side.
Warm up with some oden. Oden is a piping hot pot. Or nibble on chicken skewers from a yakitori stall. The prices are wallet-friendly. Most snacks cost around 100 yen.
Besides food, find quaint shops. They sell cute kitchenware and paper goods. Discover other little treasures too. It is worth the trek to experience a slower, more local way of life.
Eating while walking is the best way to experience Sunamachi Ginza. It feels like walking around festival stalls. There is yakitori and oden. You can also find Chinese dumplings and croquettes. Fresh fruits are available too. You will surely find something you want to eat.
The nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa era surrounds the townscape. Store owners talk to you in a friendly manner. Even first-time visitors can enjoy lively conversations. It’s a cozy atmosphere. It makes you feel warm.
Locals call Sunamachi Ginza the “Humanity Shopping Street”. It’s also known as a “Shopping Street which not to be missed”.
If you are a bit adventurous, Sunamachi Ginza is a great alternative. Get your local street food fix here. Most shops close around 5-6 pm. This is normal for local areas. A big advantage of Sunamachi Ginza is that it is cheaper. It is cheaper than street food in Asakusa.
Many businesses have been run by the same family for generations. Their recipes have been honed and perfected for many years.
Maguro Katsu is a must-try. It is a tuna cutlet. It is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The fatty thigh version of Yakitori is delicious. Oden is typically eaten in Japan during winter. Unakuri is made of eel and barbequed. Shapin is a Chinese snack that Japanese people love. It is a crispy large dumpling.
Consider visiting Monzennakacho or the Edo Tokyo Museum after exploring Sunamachi Ginza.