Shopping in Tokyo need not be an intimidating and pocket-emptying experience if you know where to go for good bargains.

Ameya-yokocho or Ameyoko market for short, is a bustling flea market that dates back to the end of WW II. Located just across from the JR Ueno/ Okachimachi stations, this is one market that shopaholics must not miss when in Tokyo. There are about 500 shops selling anything and everything under the sun (well almost), from dried groceries like dried fish, scallops, and seaweed to fashion wear and accessories to cosmetics and beauty products. In short, there is something for everyone.

Surprisingly, many of the Japanese shopkeepers here could speak a smattering of Mandarin or Cantonese, especially those selling dried food products. Many would call out discounts even before a customer could begin to bargain; this made us suspicious of the prices that were boldly displayed atop of the goods sold. We suspected that the prices stated were gross over-quotations to appease tourists, especially those who love to bargain. *You have been warned*

Browsing through the endless rows of shops, we came across fix-priced shops like the 100-yen shops, 1000-yen shops and even a 5000-yen shop. They are a boon for tourists like us with tight budgets. The quality of goods sold here were of better quality and of a cheaper price than those sold at home. Almost everyone in our group came away with purchases at the end of the 1 hour or so that we spent there.

There were also interesting activities ongoing, mostly gimmicks to attract customers into their shops. Keep an ear out for touts and their deafening mega-phones touting hefty discounts available for that hour or day only. There was one shop that even had a live auction with customers shouting "add on more" to the auctioneer to throw in more "freebies" into goodie bags that were being sold for a low price.

Note
Most of these shops are small, cramped and crowded so do beware of pickpockets.

Ameyoko is a busy, bustling, and vibrant market street in Ueno. It’s a wonderful place to shop for inexpensive and unusual items. With my wife, Jancy, nicknamed "shopping queen", around, we would surely not leave Japan without a trip there. From Shinjuku, we took the JR train to Ueno Station (Yamanote Loop, 13 stops).

Starting from the JR station, you could easily find Ameyoko through the signboard (in red fonts and white background, lit in the evening). Ameyoko is formed mainly by four main parallel streets (or almost parallel) and many small little links between them.

Jancy went into action right away. There was a big shoe store having a big sale right across the street from the train station. The shop was so packed, but she just wouldn’t give up. In the end, she bought four pairs of shoes for my two little girls, Rochelle and Xanessta at ¥500 each. That was really a bargain!

Immediately, we turned into the small streets and headed to the market streets. The market offers many things, ranging from perishable products to children's and ladies' apparel. It was another eye-opener to us. Bags and handbags, clothes, jeans, cute little umbrellas, hats, satin dolls, belts, perfume, watches, cosmetics, stationery, clocks, sports shoes, Swiss Army knives, souvenirs, Levi's jeans and jackets, suitcases and haversacks, rings and jewellery, swimsuits, etc, etc, etc, were on sale!

I particulary liked the shop that sells Levi’s apparel. I bought a pair of 533 at only ¥5500! While I was quite happy with my find, Jancy had a field day. She loved almost everything she saw (just take a look at the pic below -- I was lucky I brought the stroller along, as I could hang all the shopping bags on it).

Food was also a major highlight in Ameyoko: seaweeds, salmon, quails’ eggs, fish eggs, crab legs, octopus, tuna, and even sea urchin is on sale. Other traditional Japanese dried food was also available.

I was particularly adventurous that day, when I tasted many things in Ameyoko. One particular one was from a street hawker; it was a pan-fried "cake". I think it was made up of flour and vegetables and lots of mayonnaise and soya sauce toppings. It was not bad.

Ameyoko was one of the best places we visited in Tokyo. If I were to return Tokyo, Ameyoko surely will be on our list again!