Sunamachi Ginza, The Other, Other Ginza
I have passed by this shopping street countless times. It was always on my list to head back over there and take a stroll down the street. After all, it is relatively in my own neighborhood.
The sun was high when I started off for the Sunamachi Ginza. It is one of those spots that isn’t talked about much in a guide book. It is off the beaten Tokyo path. It is not like the Ginza of endless shopping stores. These are little mom and pop stores that line a narrow street. They are hawking every thing from all sorts of delectables to assorted stationary goods. And if you can imagine it, it probably can be found on this street.
This is the way Tokyoites used to shop. Spread all over Tokyo were shopping streets. They are usually known as Shotengai or Ginza. They are places were you’d do your daily shopping and then some.
I really didn’t buy anything on the street. But I did head down a couple of the even narrow streets to see how the Sunamachi neighbors lived.
The houses were all neat and cramped. Lots had the frontside gardens that I am so infatuated with. It was a good day out. The sun was blazing. It was a great three hour cycle ride. The summer starts here.
