Ueno is located on the JR Yamanote Line, just a 10-minute train ride from Tokyo Station. It is home to one of Japan’s most famous and busy shopping areas, Ameyoko, which is a neighbor to Ueno Park, a cultural and artistic hub. These two very different, yet inseparable faces of Ueno have been the essence of its irresistible magnetism—both in the past and still today.

Ameyoko started as an open-air market in the aftermath of World War II. Today, it is lined with stores that sell all sorts of products, such as fresh foods, daily commodities, clothes, and accessories, and it also has restaurants. There are approximately 400 stores in the central part of Ameyoko, and some 1,200 stores in the whole area.

The most interesting way to explore Ameyoko is to follow your curiosity. The main street of the market is lined with venerable old stores, such as Niki no Kashi, which sells more than 8,000 varieties of Japanese and imported sweets, and Iseoto, a shop known for its top quality katsuobushi, the dried smoked bonito slices that are an indispensable ingredient of basic Japanese soup stock. Nearby is Yoshiike, a fresh foods store that is a favorite destination for professional chefs and foodies. Visitors enjoy the lively and energetic atmosphere filled with the cries of sellers of goals and foods.

The alley under the elevated tracks off the main street is crammed with shops that sell cosmetics, sneakers, watches, and stationery. It is also home of some well-hidden popular stores such as the leather brand MANSOH, known for its bags and leather accessories. Exploring these stores with the trains roaring overhead is an exciting experience.