What is a shōtengai?

A shōtengai (商店街) is basically the Japanese equivalent of a high street.

More often than not, shōtengai are connected to a local train station. Most neighbourhoods, suburbs and towns of Japan have some variation of shōtengai that reflect the size and character of the locality. For example, large cities and neighbourhoods in Tokyo have shōtengai with covered arcades, mini malls or both.

Kichijōji, Tokyo

Join us in our wanders through the neighbourhoods of Tokyo and beyond.