Explore the Local "Non-touristy" Side of Tokyo: Jujo and Akabane Walking Tour

Jujo Ginza shopping district is known as one of Tokyo’s best three old shopping streets, and has 500 shops with prepared foods, fresh foods, clothing items and so on, and you will not only be surprised by the scale of the area, but also the cheapness. Special price tags are seen everywhere, and good deals are arranged. Each store cooperates to actively promote district-wide events leading to a real community feel. They have thousands of surprisingly cheap items such as croquettes (1 piece for 30 yen), yakitori (1 piece for 50 yen), socks for 50 yen and so on. There are many locally-based shops, and it is also characteristic that the distance between shopkeepers and shoppers is short. You can enjoy takeaways and eat light snacks on the spot in this shopping area with a calm atmosphere, where old town people provide lots of character and emote old style life.

Shimizuzaka Park is a quiet oasis surrounded by trees. For the kids it has a roller type slide with a total length of 52 m, a square, pond, and more. It is widely used by neighborhood residents as a center of regional activity. You can take a break while eating snacks purchased at the shopping district while immersing yourself in a space just aside from the vibrant atmosphere of the shopping street.

Inatsuki Castle Ruins is the ruined castle ruins created by Ota Dokan, a 15th century warlord at the altitude of 21 m above sea level. Ota Dokan is known for building Edo castle. His statue is also here and it is open to enter by the public on the 26th of every month after July 26th, the date of his death. From the back of the precincts you will find a graveyard where you can enjoy the scenery that makes you feel the contrast between old graves and modern buildings.

Akabane Ichibangai Shopping Street is occupied by several dozen pubs and izakayas, many of which are open at noon. It’s not uncommon to see elderly men enjoying a mid-afternoon cup of sake at their local izakaya. Join them and experience a slice of Japan that harks back to a time when the country was much more blue-collar and down-to-earth.