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Ningyocho Shoten-gai

Ningyocho Shōtengai Kyōdō Kumiai, Director

Ken Shibakawa

Let me introduce the Ningyocho Shopping Street, where I serve as the chairman. Ningyocho has long been a place that attracts many people, and there are still numerous long-established shops that have been operating for over 100 years. While walking through the quaint alleys that retain the atmosphere of old downtown Tokyo, you can converse with shop owners who can only be met here, and indulge in exquisite tastes that can only be experienced here.
Ningyocho is sure to become a place that will captivate you.

Ningyocho Shoten-gai

Ningyocho Shōtengai, consisting of around 200 shops, hosts many events such as the Hana Matsuri, Ningyoichi, Ningyocho Matsuri, and the Utauma Championship held in February. We encourage you to visit and enjoy these events!

web site: http://www.ningyocho.or.jp/

Izakaya and restaurants in Ningyocho Shōtengai

This may be a bit of an old story, but let me begin by talking about the origin of the name of Ningyocho. In the first year of the Kaiei era (1624), Saruwaka Kanzaburo (the first generation of Nakamura Kanzaburo) raised the yagura for the Saruwaka-za (later known as the Nakamura-za), which is said to mark the beginning of Edo Kabuki. Around this time, small theaters for Ningyo Joruri and Ningyo Shibai (puppet theater) began to line the streets surrounding Ningyocho. It is said that many people who made, repaired, or sold puppets, as well as puppeteers, lived in this area.

Additionally, stores selling puppet crafts began to line the streets for customers who came to watch puppet plays, and this street became known as “Ningyo-dori,” with the surrounding area being referred to as “Ningyocho.” However, it wasn’t until the 8th year of the Showa era (1933) that the area officially became known as Ningyocho.

Additionally, Ningyocho has long been a lively area where markets are held throughout the year, with seasonal items such as handballs and battledores during New Year’s, hina dolls in March, and iris dolls in May. From the Edo period through the Meiji era and up to the present day, Ningyocho has remained a town that attracts many people. Even today, we, as merchants in this shopping district, feel greatly honored and proud to be able to welcome so many customers at events like the Setomono-ichi, Ningyo-ichi, and Bettara-ichi. Now, let’s take a look at the current lively atmosphere of the Ningyocho shopping district.

I also occasionally walk around this area, and it is always bustling with many customers. There are many salarymen coming from work, and it seems that many residents of this neighborhood also frequent the area. Of course, given the current circumstances, there are also quite a few inbound foreign tourists. The reason so many people can be welcomed here is likely due to the variety of restaurants and izakayas, not only old established shops but also new, innovative establishments offering creative dishes by emerging chefs.

You can enjoy Japanese cuisine in a restaurant with the atmosphere of a long-established establishment, or you can enjoy Western cuisine with deep flavors. It’s also wonderful to wander around and visit popular restaurants serving creative cuisine. From stopping for lunch on your way to Suitengu Shrine, to dinner after a show at Meijiza, to a drink at a lively and unique izakaya, even though the number of traditional red lanterns has decreased. Why not go on a little journey to find your favorite restaurant among the diverse shops in Ningyocho? We hope you will enjoy the atmosphere of Ningyocho’s downtown area and the delicious food of your favorite restaurant.

Izakaya and restaurants in Ningyocho Shōtengai

address: 1-18-9 Ningyocho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku (Ningyocho Shōtengai Kyōdō Kumiai)
telephone number: 03-3666-9064
web site: http://www.ningyocho.or.jp/

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