Ueno Park
Tokyo, Japan
Ameyoko Market, Tokyo
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Photo: DimiTalen, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Usually roughly 10:00–20:00, each shop its own
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Shops
- More than 250
- Closed
- Some shops close on Wednesdays
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - What's here
- Seafood, sweets, spices, clothing, street food
- Getting there
- JR Ueno or Okachimachi station — 1 minute
Key facts
250+shops in the market
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en.wikipedia≈ 15,000 m²market area along the tracks
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en.wikipedia'Ameya'one theory traces it to sweet shops — 'ame'
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en.wikipediaJR Yamanotethe market runs along and under this line
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en.wikipediaUeno–Okachimachithe market links the two stations
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en.wikipediaNew Yearthe busiest time — shopping for the holiday table
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travel guidesUnder the viaducttiny eateries and izakaya
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travel guides¥0to enter the market
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YesGoWhat is Ameyoko?
Ameyoko (full name Ameya-Yokocho, 'Ameya alley') is a street market in Taito, next to Ueno Station. It runs along and under the JR Yamanote viaduct to Okachimachi station and covers about 15,000 m², with more than 250 shops.
One theory says the name comes from sweet shops — 'ame' — which were once especially common here; sweets are still sold today. Now Ameyoko is a noisy bazaar selling fresh fish and seafood, dried goods, spices, tea, cheap clothing and cosmetics, with tiny eateries and izakaya tucked under the railway tracks.
How the market works
The main street runs along the tracks south from Ueno station towards Okachimachi, with narrow lanes and passages running parallel right under the viaduct. Food, clothing, shoes and cosmetics are all mixed together — the fun is simply walking along the tracks and peering into the passages.
Shops usually open roughly 10:00 to 20:00, but each keeps its own hours and some close on Wednesdays. The busiest time is late December, when Tokyoites buy seafood for the New Year table and the market is packed. In the evening the lanterns of the eateries under the viaduct light up.
What to eat and buy
- Fruit on a stick — cut melon and pineapple.
- Yakitori skewers and grilled seafood.
- Sashimi rice bowls — kaisendon.
- Dried goods and spices.
- Sweets — a nod to the market's name.
- Izakaya under the tracks — beer and snacks in the evening.
How to get to Ameyoko
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Ueno Park is about 7 min away on foot.
- Tokyo National Museum is about 15 min away on foot.
- Akihabara is about 22 min away on foot.
More tips
- JR Ueno station — Shinobazu or Hirokoji exit, about 1 minute.
- JR Okachimachi station — at the market's southern end, about 1 minute.
- Ueno-Hirokoji metro (Ginza line) — about 3 minutes.
- Keisei-Ueno station — about 3 minutes, handy from Narita.
- From Ueno Park — down from Shinobazu Pond, about 5 minutes.
Ameyoko or Tsukiji
| Ameyokoyou are here | A noisy city bazaar | Food, clothing, cosmetics | Day and evening | Izakaya under the tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsukiji | A food market | Seafood, knives, tableware | Morning to midday | Mostly closed |
How long do you need?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour to wander Ameyoko, or the whole evening with dinner at an izakaya. It's easy to come here after Ueno Park or the Tokyo National Museum, a few minutes away.
From here it's an easy walk to Akihabara (about 15–20 minutes south), or back to Ueno station.
Is Ameyoko worth visiting?
Yes: it's Tokyo's liveliest market — vendors shouting, food smells and trains rumbling overhead, nothing like the quiet department stores.
The YesGo take: many goods are ordinary, and weekend evenings are very crowded. Come for the atmosphere and street food rather than shopping — and drop into an eatery under the tracks.
Before you go: checklist
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Tokyo markets: compare and choose
Markets and shopping streets in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Akihabara | 53 | 2 h | Free | 23 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza | 53 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 4.4 km |
| Senso-ji | 51 | 1 h | Free | 36 min walk |
| Takeshita Street | 49 | 45 min | Free | 7.6 km |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 46 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 5.0 km |
| Ameyokoyou are here | 40 | 45 min | Free | — |
| Toyosu Market | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 7.4 km |
Ueno in a day
The Tokyo National Museum in the morning, a walk round Ueno Park in the afternoon, and Ameyoko market towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Tokyo National Museum2 h · ¥1,000; students ¥500
- 15 min walk from the previous stopUeno Park1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600
- 7 min walk from the previous stopAmeyokoyou are here45 min · free
3 places · about 4 h 37 min with walks · 22 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Compare prices between shops.
- Fish gets cheaper towards evening.
- Cash for small shops.
- In the evening — izakaya under the tracks.
- Nearby: Ueno Park.
Questions
Where is Ameyoko market?
Along the JR tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations.
What are the hours?
Shops usually open roughly 10:00 to 20:00, each with its own hours.
Is there an entry fee?
No, entry is free.
What can I buy?
Seafood, sweets, spices, cheap clothing and cosmetics.
What should I try?
Fruit on a stick, yakitori and sashimi bowls.
When is it busiest?
In late December and on weekend evenings.
Why is it called Ameyoko?
One theory says it's from sweet shops — 'ame'.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour, or the evening with dinner.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Ameya-Yokochō — area, number of shops, name theory
- Travel guides — shop hours, closing days, food, New Year shopping (unofficial)
- Official site ameyoko.net — being rebuilt (checked 09.11.2026)
- Wikidata Q864815 — coordinates
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