Many thanks for participating in Tokyo Free Walking Tour in Asakusa and Ueno Park on December 25th. 24 people joined our tours from America, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany and Spain. We hope you enjoyed the tour with us on Christmas Day. As mentioned, photos we took during the tours are posted.
Ameyoko is one of Japan’s most lively alleys as distinct from peaceful Ueno Park close by. It is located under the rail line between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station on the 400-meter street. There are more than 400 shops, restaurants and stalls in a row. The five days from now until December 31st will be the busiest time of the year. Ameyoko is popular for food ingredients for the New Year.
They have a massive selection of food, clothing, jewelry cosmetics, sweets, selling everything you can think of. A lot of things are sold off or you can negotiate with the shop managers.
Ameyoko originates from the days without sufficient products right after WWⅡ. There was a black market called ‘American alley’selling American products . ‘Ame’ meaning a hard candy was also sold due to a lack of sweets. The ‘American’ alley and ‘Ame’ alley were combined and Ameyoko was established around 1950. We can see some stores that remind you of those days.
For the next six days numerous Tokyoites will come and buy ingredients for the traditional New Year cuisine, Osechi, such as herring roes, sweet black soybeans, fish paste and sweet roll omelet. They are typical auspicious food which will bring good health, rich harvest and longevity. Most of them are ready to eat so that people do not have to cook during the new year holiday. People particularly spend money generously during this time.
It’s now more than 70 years since the market was built. In recent years we see an increasing number of exotic food shops and restaurants like Chinese and Thai. However, they still have traditional shops selling seafood, candy, bags, watches etc. which reminds us of the Showa period (1926-1989). Most of the owners are the third generation and have inherited their traditional culture. Face-to-face sales with a hoarse voice are still alive, making the origin of vitality.
Walking on the street will be great fun. It will be a good opportunity for you to know the Japanese food culture and what they will eat during the new year holiday.
Thank you for taking the time with us on Christmas Day. We look forward to seeing you again on other tours in the future.
Have a Hapy New Year!
(Yoshi)