Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street — Attraction in Tokyo

Bright and cheerful place to visit! This street sells a lot of old style food, (Daigaku-imo, Teshoku, specialty Osembe) and older people’s clothing - mompe, aprons, hanten. And also the “Aka-pants” store that sell red under garments for good luck.

The shops have changed around a lot since COVID but generally still the same type of shops.

There is also a market that happens about every 2weeks. At least half of the market store have stopped selling here which is a shame.

But you can still rummage through the boxes, racks and tables for vintage finds, clothes, bags, homewares, jewellery, kimono, obi, and nick-nacks! You’ll find some bargains here and traditionally, it’s not customary to bargain with store holders.

There are also vendors that sell okonomiyaki, yaki-soba, fresh wakame, omochi, oden, seasonal fruit and vegetables.

And don’t mind any harmless oldies who might pull and push you out the way…! It’s all part of...

✳️ Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street ( also known as Old People's Harajuku) or 老人街 is a highly interesting shopping alley.

🟧 On the 4th, 14th and 24th of every month, there will be yatais set up. 🟨 ➡️ A yatai is a temporary pop-up kiosk or stall.

🟩 This shopping street doesn't have many tourists, because not many people know about it. ✅️ I only know about Sugamo because of Youtube's John Daub's channel called " Only in Japan Go".

🟥 I find the name :Old People's Harajuku" a misnomer. ❇️ It is not an accurate description of the shopping street here. Yes, the senior citizens of Tokyo do shop here, but many shops here also sells alot of goods that appeals to the younger generations.

🟧 We had a lovely delicious lunch here ( crab croquettes set ) + bought so much senbei crackers here. 🩷 I also got Okinawan black sugar...

Definitely recommend checking out this interesting shopping street with nice retro feel, 3 different shrines and lots of traditional snacks and household goods. Start off your tour by taking the cute Tokyo Sakura Tram and get off at Koshinzuka station. Much to explore from old style coffee shops, restaurants, piping hot taiyaki snack, traditional sweets, macha store, Maruji store selling all sorts of red underwear and household goods. Bought tenugui towels and sobakawa buckwheat pillow for bargain price of JPY158 and JPY1100 respectively. Look out for shop in middle of this 800m street selling the cheapest beauty/health care I've seen in Tokyo (cash only). One can easily spend half/full day to re-discover olde worlde charm that many may...