Shopping Arcade

In Japan, many people often shop at their local shōtengai, or shopping street. A shōtengai is a street of stores close to the local train station. The shōtengai or shopping arcade consists of all kinds of stores from grocery stores and bookstores to restaurants and hair salons. Depending on how rural or urban the area is, the size and variety of stores can differ significantly. The shopping arcade is a popular place for housewives to pick up a few already cooked side dishes or for businessmen to pick up a quick dinner. The stores of the shōtengai are often run by the local townspeople and have a much more homey atmosphere than at a supermarket or convenience store.

Although most shōtengai offer a wide variety of shopping choices, there are some shōtengai (such as Tokyo Character Street or Kyoto's Teramachi Street) that offer a cluster of specialized stores. These shōtengai are great for when you're looking for something in particular, such as cooking equipment from Tokyo's Kappabashi Street. By going to the right kind of shōtengai, you can find exactly what without having to go off to a fancy department store.

Japan Deluxe Tours makes sure to include time spent at various shōtengai along our Japan tour vacations. If you're looking for the ultimate anime shopping, the shōtengai we visit on our Anime Japan Tours are bound to have exactly what you're looking for to complete your otaku collection!