[Japan Shopping Street Guide] Enjoy Food and Shopping at Unique Local Arcades!

With a history of more than 145 years, Tanukikoji Shopping Street is one of the oldest shopping streets in Hokkaido. Located in central Sapporo, it stretches about 900 meters east to west and is lined with Approx. 200 shops. Because the entire street is covered by an arcade, you can enjoy shopping, strolling, and dining even in bad weather.
Long-established local merchants, craft shops, and souvenir stores line the street, creating a retro atmosphere.

Located one street back from the main road facing the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street was Otaru’s main street and saw major growth from the Meiji era to the early Showa period.
The Approx. 1,300-meter shopping street stretching from Marchen Crossroads to Nichigin Street still preserves many of the stone Western-style buildings and warehouses built in those days, letting you enjoy strolling and shopping in a nostalgic setting.

This pedestrian-only boulevard extending Approx. 1 km from JR Asahikawa Station is called Heiwa-dori Shopping Park and bustles as Asahikawa’s main street. Opened in 1972 as Japan’s first permanent pedestrian zone, it is lined with a wide variety of shops, from large stores and specialty shops to hair salons and restaurants.
During the winter festival period, it also serves as the venue for the World Ice Sculpture Competition, creating a romantic and magical scene.

This shopping street first opened in 2012 as a temporary shopping area. In 2017, it relocated to its current site as a permanent shopping street.
The stores were designed by Kengo Kuma, one of Japan’s leading architects. Generous use of Minamisanriku cedar, known as Bijin Sugi, creates a warm atmosphere.
After overcoming crises such as the disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 28 businesses, including restaurants and fresh fish shops, are now operating here.

Established in 1954 as the southern entrance to Tohoku’s first arcade shopping street, this area lets you look back on the lively days when many people came and went through what was known as a “movie theater town.” The arcade is decorated with motifs of Date Masamune, his helmet, and Hasekura Tsunenaga, a retainer of the Date clan.
In July, during the Ichibancho Sansha Festival, mikoshi from the three shrines located in the shopping street, Nonaka Shrine, Ebisu Shrine, and Warei Shrine, parade through the area, filling the whole district with a festive mood. In August, the street becomes one of the venues for the Sendai Tanabata Festival, which draws Approx. 2 million visitors from across Japan, and beautiful streamers decorate the arcade.

This is the arcade shopping street closest to Sendai Station. From Ekimae-dori, it crosses Atago-Uesugi-dori and continues to the neighboring Clis Road Shopping Street, with a wide variety of shops along the way.
Its roofed arcade makes shopping and strolling comfortable even in rain, snow, or strong summer sun, and it is also conveniently connected to Sendai Station via the pedestrian deck extending from the station’s west exit.

This shopping street stretches Approx. 1.3 km east and west from Tokyu Ikegami Line’s Togoshi-Ginza Station. Approx. 400 businesses line the street, ranging from fresh food shops to cafes, bakeries, and even public bathhouses.
It is the longest shopping street in Tokyo. The name “Togoshi Ginza” was given because the area received bricks from Ginza-dori after it was reduced to rubble in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and also because people hoped to share in the bustle of the famous Ginza district. It is even said to be the original of the many “XX Ginza” shopping streets found across Japan.

Known affectionately as “Ameyoko,” this shopping street runs for Approx. 500 meters between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station and is lined with Approx. 400 shops.
Stores here cover a wide range of categories, including food, sweets, clothing, daily goods, and jewelry.
Another highlight is that bargain sales are held year-round, and the lively atmosphere alone gives you a taste of Tokyo’s traditional downtown spirit.

Kappabashi Kitchen Town is a shopping street stretching Approx. 800 m north to south between Asakusa and Ueno in Tokyo.
It is a unique shopping street with Approx. 160 stores related to food, selling not only cooking tools and tableware but also restaurant signs and more.
Many stores are closed on Sundays, and most are open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This shopping street, said to have developed naturally around 1945, has a long history. Around 60 shops are gathered along a short street of about 170 meters, including old-fashioned independent stores such as butcher shops, greengrocers, fishmongers, and electronics stores, as well as donut shops and variety stores that visitors can also enjoy.

In 1932, this street was named Sunamachi Ginza after the then-famous Ginza-dori Shopping Street, which was said to be the best shopping street in Japan.
Along with Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street and Jujo Ginza Shopping Street, it is counted as one of the three great Ginza shopping streets. Approx. 130 businesses, ranging from clinics and fresh food shops to prepared food stores and even a nursery school, line the Approx. 670-meter street.

Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street is affectionately known as “Harajuku for grandmothers,” but in recent years it has also drawn attention as a spot that people of all ages can enjoy.
Along its Approx. 780-meter length, around 200 shops offer a wide variety of goods, including Japanese sweets, Western sweets, bakeries, tea shops, rice cracker shops, and Buddhist altar goods stores.

Just a 3-minute walk from JR Nippori Station, this shopping street stretches for Approx. 1 km mainly along Nippori Chuo-dori and is lined with Approx. 90 textile and fabric stores. With every kind of material, fabric, and fashion accessory available, it attracts shoppers from across Japan, from craft beginners to apparel professionals.
Along the main street, Nippori Chuo-dori, you’ll find a wide range of specialty stores focused on textile materials, including leather, notions, buttons, patterns, sewing supplies, and accessories.

This shopping street developed more than 150 years ago around the time the Port of Yokohama opened, when shops serving foreign residents gathered here.
Along its 600-meter main street, filled with a refined Western-style atmosphere, you’ll find a wide variety of stylish stores, including apparel shops, general goods stores, interior shops, and accessory stores.
There are also many sophisticated cafes and restaurants, making it a great place to take a break and enjoy shopping at a relaxed pace.

Located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, this shopping street is a roughly 300-meter-long street lined with as many as 150 varied shops.
Among its many offerings, sukajan jackets, decorated with oriental embroidery designs such as dragons and tigers, became a huge hit. Several shops, both long-established and newer arrivals, are still in business today, and they also carry official versions available only in this shopping street.

Atami City is one of Japan’s leading hot spring destinations, known for its abundant high-temperature natural hot springs.
This shopping street is located right by JR Atami Station, the gateway to the city.
Lined mainly with souvenir shops selling specialties from Atami, Izu, and Shizuoka, as well as sweets such as onsen manju, it also has restaurants where you can enjoy Atami gourmet food.

Nagoya’s largest shopping street spreads across the area enclosed by four roads: Wakamiya-odori, Fushimi-dori, Osu-dori, and Minami-Otsu-dori. Packed with Approx. 1,200 shops and facilities of every kind, including restaurants, vintage clothing stores, general goods stores, and electronics retailers, it has a truly distinctive atmosphere.
Along with Akihabara in Tokyo and Nipponbashi in Osaka, it is counted among Japan’s three major electronics districts, and it is home to many electronics stores and computer shops.

Located a 10-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station, this shopping street is lined with unique stores in rowhouse-style buildings. It begins along the embankment of the Metoba River, and came to be called “Nawate” from “nawa no yo ni nagai dote,” meaning “an embankment long like a rope.”
It developed as the approach to Yohashira Shrine, built in 1879, and because it is close to Matsumoto Castle, it also attracts many tourists.

Nuttari, located near the mouth of the Shinano River, long prospered as a port town. Nuttari Terrace Shopping Street was created in 2015 by renovating the old rowhouses of the former Nuttari Market, which had lost its former bustle and become a shuttered shopping street.
The contrast between the retro Showa-era streetscape and stylish shops creates a unique atmosphere that appeals to people of all ages.

Kanazawa Tatemachi Shopping Street is lined with Approx. 200 unique shops along a 430-meter road through central Kanazawa.
It has a history as one of Hokuriku’s largest fashion districts, and even today the heart of the shopping street is filled with apparel shops, accessory stores, and general goods stores.
Of course, you’ll also find sweets shops and cafes perfect for a shopping break, as well as restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or dinner.
Events supporting creators and artists are also held here, so a visit may lead you to creative spaces and unique items that spark your imagination.
Since it is located at what can be called the gateway to the popular sightseeing spot Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, it’s well worth stopping by before or after your museum visit.

Sogawa-dori Shopping Street, Toyama Prefecture’s largest arcade shopping street, is located in central Toyama City.
Along its 260-meter length, Approx. 40 shops range from select stores popular with young shoppers to long-established businesses, making it a favorite with many generations.
In recent years, the large commercial complex Sogawa Ferio was built nearby, bringing even more visitors to the area.
Another plus is that vehicles are prohibited from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, making it safe and pleasant to walk around.
The adjoining Grand Plaza hosts winter skating rinks and various events, drawing many locals and tourists.

Nishiki Market is located on Nishikikoji Street, just north of Kyoto’s main street, Shijo Street.
It began when fish shops prospered in this area, and in 1615 the market received official recognition from the Edo shogunate, leading to further development.
Known affectionately as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” it is lined with ingredients such as Kyoto vegetables, freshwater fish from Lake Biwa, hamo conger eel, guji tilefish, sasa flounder, yuba, wheat gluten, and pickles. You can find just about all of Kyoto’s signature ingredients here.

Shinkyogoku-dori runs north-south for Approx. 500 meters through central Kyoto between Sanjo Street and Shijo Street. Bustling daily with locals, tourists, and school excursion groups, Shinkyogoku Shopping Street became 150 years old in 2022 and is the second-oldest shopping street in Japan.
Covered by an arcade for comfortable shopping even on rainy days, the street is lined with a wide variety of shops, including fashion stores, souvenir shops, and movie theaters.

This shopping street runs for Approx. 580 meters north to south from the south side of Nagahori-dori to Soemoncho-dori in central Osaka.
Shops of all kinds line both sides of the street, including cosmetics stores, apparel shops, drugstores, accessory shops, 100-yen stores, and music stores.
It is also home to the long-established Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store and large branches of famous apparel brands, making it one of Osaka’s premier shopping areas and drawing large crowds every day.

Sannomiya Center Gai is where Kobe’s transportation networks come together, serving as a major hub of the city.
It is a large arcade shopping street running almost east-west from Flower Road to Koikawa-suji, lined with shops across a wide range of categories including fashion, interiors, daily goods, and gourmet food.

This shopping street is located just a short walk from Hikone Castle, which has a National Treasure-designated keep. It takes its popular name from Kyobashi Bridge, which spans the moat of Hikone Castle.
The street is designed to evoke an Edo-period castle town. The road is a spacious 6 meters wide and extends southwest from Kyobashi Bridge over the former inner moat of Hikone Castle, with the townscape continuing for Approx. 350 meters.
The street is lined with many restaurants, sweets shops, and souvenir stores, and you’ll also find menu items unique to Hikone.

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is the island’s liveliest street, lined with shops selling Miyajima specialties.
Along this Approx. 350-meter arcade shopping street leading to the great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, you’ll find souvenir stores, folk craft shops, and restaurants serving Miyajima gourmet food.
Because so many Miyajima-style souvenirs and food spots are packed into one area, it’s a great place to start when you visit the island.

Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street runs in parallel for 1.6 km between the sea and the mountains, where many of Onomichi City’s sightseeing spots are scattered.
It is made up of five shopping streets, Ichibangai, Naka Shopping Street, Honmachi Center Gai, Chuo Gai, and Onomichi-dori, with Approx. 400 distinctive shops in total.
It also features places such as Anago no Nedoko, a guesthouse renovated from a traditional house, and the Onomichi Chamber of Commerce Memorial Museum, a designated Important Cultural Property of Onomichi City, giving the area a retro feel.

This arcade shopping street in central Kure City stretches for Approx. 420 meters.
Paved with brick, it is affectionately known by locals as “Renga-dori.”
The shopping street is also home to many restaurants where you can try local specialties you’ll want to eat in Kure. Options are diverse, including the shop said to be the birthplace of nikujaga, known for its version with green peas, “gansu,” a slightly spicy type of fish cutlet, thin udon noodles, and Kure cold noodles.

Located in the heart of Takamatsu’s central commercial district, Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Street stretches for 470 meters. It is one section of the 2.7-km Takamatsu Chuo Shopping Street and has a long history of more than 400 years.
A glass arcade is suspended about 20 meters overhead, creating a bright and open atmosphere. You can enjoy shopping without worrying about the weather.

Located next to the Dogo Onsen Honkan building, Dogo Shopping Street is affectionately known as “Dogo Haikara-dori.”
This L-shaped arcade stretches for Approx. 250 meters, connecting Dogo Onsen Station, the terminal stop of Iyo Railway’s streetcar line, with Dogo Onsen Honkan.
Many souvenir shops and restaurants line the street, and after soaking in Dogo Onsen, strolling here in a yukata is one of the unique pleasures of a hot spring town.

Located in central Matsuyama, Okaido Shopping Street is covered by a huge arcade measuring 483 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 13 meters high.
Its standout feature is a three-tier dome-shaped arcade with automatic opening and closing, allowing for comfortable strolling regardless of the weather.
The street is lined with a wide variety of restaurants and souvenir shops, as well as Matsuyama Mitsukoshi department store and the AEL Matsuyama commercial complex, making it an ideal spot for shopping and dining.
Design details on the pillars inspired by Ehime symbols such as mandarins and Mt. Ishizuchi are also worth noticing.
It also connects with other shopping streets stretching north and south, making it a place where you can really feel Matsuyama’s energy.

Shimotori Arcade runs north-south through central Kumamoto from Torichosuji.
Close to streetcar stops and the bus terminal, with easy access from JR Kumamoto Station and within walking distance of Kumamoto Castle, the symbol of Kumamoto and one of Japan’s three great castles, it is a bustling downtown area lively with locals and tourists alike day and night.

Uomachi Gintengai Shopping Street in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, is widely known as Japan’s first arcade shopping street. Completed in 1951, this arcade has long been loved by locals as a place where they can shop comfortably in both rain and wind.
Approx. 120 shops line the street, offering a wide range of genres including karaoke, fashion, drugstores, and 100-yen shops.

New spots created during redevelopment have brought fresh energy to the shopping street, including ABURATSU COFFEE, a renovated cafe long loved by locals, Aburatsu Shokudo, where you can enjoy everything from Japanese and Chinese food to teppanyaki, and ABURATSU GARDEN. The area has also attracted new types of businesses, such as IT startups, creating a new kind of bustle not seen here before.

Located in central Naha, Naha Kokusai-dori Shopping Street is Okinawa’s representative main street.
Along its Approx. 1.6-km stretch, around 600 businesses line the road, including restaurants, souvenir shops, department stores, cafes, general goods stores, and hotels, drawing large numbers of visitors from Japan and abroad.

Known as the kitchen of the Uchinanchu, or Okinawan people, this market is lined with ingredients unique to Okinawa, including brightly colored fish, island vegetables full of vitality, and many different cuts of pork.
Even in its temporary location, its wide product selection, old-style face-to-face selling, and the lively presence of obaa and other shop staff remain just as before. The “mochiage” system is also still alive and well, letting you buy fish or meat at the market and have it cooked upstairs at the dining area.

This farmers market is located in Onna Village in central Okinawa Main Island.
In addition to fresh locally grown island vegetables and seasonal fruits, it offers a wide range of souvenirs from Onna Village and Okinawa, as well as original products available only here.
There is also a food court where you can enjoy Okinawan local food and casual B-grade gourmet dishes.