Strolling along Kawagoe’s Ichibangai street lined with traditional storehouses, you get the illusion that time has quietly slowed down.
Heavy black storehouse-style buildings stand neatly along both sides of the street. Their stately tiled roofs and plaster walls quietly preserve the charm of everyday town life passed down from the Edo period. The afternoon sunlight isn’t too harsh, and a gentle breeze passes through the hanging bells and signs beneath the eaves. Travelers stroll leisurely nearby, while the sound of the curtains at old shops fluttering can occasionally be heard.
There’s no need to rush your itinerary while walking around here. Turn a corner to explore the Bell of Time tucked away down the streets, or stop at a small shop filled with the aroma of grilled dango and sweet potato treats. Passing each wooden lattice window and old shop feels like turning a vivid page of memories from another time, making you want to slow your breathing and savor the everyday warmth created by the blend of old and new.
Koedo Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street | Review by Eddie
Other Reviews by Eddie
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Yokohama Landmark Tower
Standing 296 meters tall with 70 floors, Yokohama Landmark Tower is the famed symbol of the Minato Mirai district where you’ll find offices, a hotel, and full-scale shopping mall. Inside the Landmark Plaza shopping mall, you’ll find around 160 stores, including popular domestic and international fashion brands, lifestyle goods shops, anime character stores, and even a post office.
The afternoon breeze carried a slight chill as it swept through the open streets of Minato Mirai.
Standing at the edge of the terrace and looking out, the 296-meter-tall Yokohama Landmark Tower rose prominently in the center of the view, like a steadfast anchor for this port city. Without the pressure of large crowds, gazing at its geometric lines cutting straight into the sky from a distance brought an added sense of ease and tranquility.
The most comfortable moments of a trip often aren't about rushing to check off attractions, but about occasionally stopping like this, feeling the breeze on a terrace, and quietly taking in the modern, clean-lined cityscape before you. -
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MARK IS Minatomirai
Located in the popular Minato Mirai district of Yokohama, MARK IS Minatomirai is a large-scale commercial complex that spans from four basement levels to six above-ground floors. It houses around 175 stores, including fashion boutiques, lifestyle shops, food markets, and restaurants.
Passing through Yokohama's Minato Mirai in the afternoon, the sea breeze carried a slight chill as it swept across the city skyline.
Looking out from the terrace, Yokohama Landmark Tower still had its signature stately silhouette, cutting straight into the slightly overcast sky. My itinerary was packed this time, so I was only passing by and didn't make a special trip up to the observation deck to look out over the entire harbor. I simply leaned against the railing and casually took a photo of it standing among the city blocks.
Sometimes travel doesn't require exploring every landmark in detail. Simply seeing it from a distance as part of the everyday scenery and capturing the clean lines and openness of this modern port city in my photo album was already a very relaxing little stop. -
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Ameyoko Shopping Street
The Ameyoko Shopping Street, affectionately known as "Ameyoko," stretches approximately 500m between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station, with around 400 shops lining the street. It features a variety of businesses, including food and confectionery, clothing, general goods, and jewelry stores.
Standing in front of the Ameyoko Center Building, you’re met with the classic Y-shaped fork: on the left is Ameyoko, running alongside the elevated railway with trains rumbling overhead, while on the right is Ueno Chuo-dori Shopping Street (Uechun), marked by its bright red arch. The neon signs and electronic billboards along the entire street light up all at once, filling the night sky with a lively, slightly magical glow.
The crowds were even denser than I expected. There were office workers fresh from work, briefcases in hand, heading out for another round; tourists weaving through the crowd with shopping bags; and people sitting on outdoor barstools, drinking and chatting away. The air was filled with the smoky aroma of grilled chicken skewers, steam from hot soups drifting out of izakayas, and the sound of shopkeepers energetically calling out in Japanese. The whole atmosphere was noisy and full of the raw vitality of old downtown Tokyo.
Once you enter Uechun, signs for sneaker stores, vintage clothing shops, drugstores, and ramen shops stretch down both sides of the street. There’s absolutely no need for a carefully planned route. Just wander around, check out the stalls with lines along the street, or duck into an izakaya that catches your eye for a draft beer and a few yakitori skewers. This is Tokyo at night at its most authentic and down-to-earth. -
