Nakamise is a 250-meter long street that leads up to Sensoji Temple. Lined either side with stalls selling anything from ningyoyaki or taiyaki (shaped pancakes with red bean paste inside) to Japanese swords and paper umbrellas, Nakamise is more than just a tourist trap—it is actually one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan, visitors to Sensoji having provided a constant flow of customers over the centuries.

Nakamise in the 1930s
Information
Location
Nakamise Shopping Street, 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo 111-0032
« Google Maps »
You May Also Like

Omotesando Hills

Upmarket shopping mall with a walkway that spirals up six floors of fashion stores and restaurants.

Akiba Cultures Zone

This shopping complex opened in 2012 and is dedicated to anime and manga, including a floor dedicated to all manner of cartoon pornography (if that’s your thing…). On the 6th floor you can find Akihabara Backstage Pass Cafe, which is staffed by costume-adorned females.

Shibuya Loft

LOFT is an urban lifestyle store that sells everything from stationery and watches to health products and kitchenware. It is a superb place if you’re looking for gifts to take back. LOFT does also have branches in other areas of the city (e.g. Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Yurakucho), but the Shibuya branch is one of the best.

Ginza Six

Up-market department store which opened in April 2017. It’s a 13-floor building with a large restaurant floor and a roof garden from which you can peer down on Chuo Dori.