Tokyo is such a convenient city for shopping. On every single corner, you will find a convenience store. If you want to purchase branded clothes, department store is the one you should try. In Akihabara, you can buy computers and videogames cheap. Yet, for their convenience, all these modern stores have lost something; communication. People used to purchase goods through retail markets. Purchasing a good, they had to ask and negotiate the price orally. Almost all of such markets, however, have disappeared, except for those at tourist sites.



Ameya Yokocho or Ameyoko Market in Ueno is one of those active retail markets. The name Ameyoko derives from Ame-rica. Its history began soon after the WWII as a yamiichi (black market). At that time, there was a huge demand to daily necessities while there was little supply. Obtained from the U.S. military, retailers started selling the limited amount of goods at this market without the government permission. It was flourished throughout the post-war period, and is still active today. There are hundreds of shops in this market. Unlike the post-war era, some shops now deal with luxurious goods such as electric goods, jewelry and branded cosmetics. Those shops rarely accept discounts.



Retailers have shops along a long street between Ueno and Okachimachi stations. It gets crowded in the afternoon everyday. Also, it gets super crowded in certain periods since the Japanese love to send seasonal gifts. The last week of the year is especially the most crowded period.