Take a leisurely strolland make some discoveries! Highlights of the Chuo backstreets | Official Site for Tokyo Chuo City Tourist Information, Central Tokyo for Tourism

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Take a leisurely stroll
and make some discoveries! Highlights of the Chuo backstreets
One step removed from the main streets, a world of intricate and enticing backstreets spreads before you.
Here, a seemingly aimless stroll may lead you to a unique store or refined specialist retailing carefully selected wares!

One step removed from the main streets, a world of intricate and enticing backstreets spreads before you.
Here, a seemingly aimless stroll may lead you to a unique store or refined specialist retailing carefully selected wares!

* Published content contains information as of September 2017. Business days, business hours, rates, etc. may be changed due to the circumstances of the place of publication. Please check with each publisher for the latest information.
[Updated on September 29, 2017]

Ginza Mikawaya
A specialty boutique for food, found among the backstreets of Komparu Street in Ginza. Choosing to focus on the Edo period, during which the foundation of Japanese dietary culture was formed, they have recreated spices and other products based on literature from the time. One of the most famous of these is their irizake, an all-round condiment for use in many dishes and which is painstakingly made by stewing pickled plums and dried bonito shavings in Japanese sake liquor. Concentrating the sweet yet sharp taste of the plums and the richness of the bonito, yet with less salt than soy sauce, it can really bring out the flavor of your cooking.
Irizake 300ml ¥756(including tax), 600ml ¥1,296(including tax)
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Handkerchief Gallery
Ningyocho Store
A handkerchief specialist located on a side street next to the Ningyocho crossing. Operated by the long-standing Blooming Nakanishi, a company with a history of more than 130 years, all of the items on sale here are original designs. Characterized by full- handkerchief prints that take each article as a wonderful canvas, they are exhibited here almost like individual pieces of art. Their handkerchief with the words “Thank You” on it in 23 different languages is a popular choice to give as a present.
Printed handkerchief ¥1,080(including tax)
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Tsukiji Hitachiya
A cooking utensils store located one street over from the Tsukiji Outer main street. They offer a wide range of utensils to use around the home, all created by hand by skilled craftspeople. The cypress square containers embossed with brands of cooking pots or knives are the perfect size and price for gifts. The staff boast a wide range of specialist knowledge, driven by the desire to inform customers about the best points of their products. They can also handle simple interactions in English, allowing tourists from overseas to shop without worry.
Cypress square containers, larger size ¥561(including tax), smaller size ¥453(including tax)

*Lid sold separately
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Hinata Note
A gallery shop located deep in the Nihonbashi office district. Featuring shelves lined with pieces from 50 craftspeople, and including ceramics, glass and dyed and woven textiles, they offer a warm and relaxing sales space. Their earnest, heart-felt motto is nothing less than “allowing people to live wonderful, fun lives.” Located between Nihonbashi and Ningyocho, here you can truly experience the atmosphere offered by the backstreets, with many customers just happening across the store while taking a stroll.
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Nekoya
A shop located behind Monja Street. As the name, which means "Cat Store," suggests, here they sell only cat-related merchandise. From reasonably priced items such as key holders through to unique and expensive works of cat-art, they have established a loyal fan base among cat lovers young and old regardless of the fact the store is only open on the weekend. You’ll even find original goods that can only be purchased here, such as badges and ornaments featuring the highly Tsukishima-appropriate Monja Cat.
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