About
When you take a step away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a space that transcends time unfolds before you. The Asakusa Underground Shopping Street, which opened in 1955 (Showa 30), still retains its appearance as the oldest existing underground shopping street in Japan. In a passageway just about 50 meters long, around 20 shops line up, and this place, which strongly retains the atmosphere of the Showa era, gives the illusion that time has stopped.
Descending the stairs that lead underground, a narrow corridor dimly lit appears. The walls are lined with aged signs, and cracks from years of use can be seen on the floor. Groundwater seeps out from those gaps, filling the air with dampness. However, it is precisely this old-fashioned atmosphere that enhances the charm of this underground street.
As you proceed down the corridor, the first thing that catches your eye is a yakisoba shop called “Fukuchan.” This shop, which opened in 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympics, is famous for its yakisoba grilled on an iron plate, and it has continued to be loved by locals. The yakisoba, served on an aluminum plate, is coated in a rich sauce, and its nostalgic flavor spreads in your mouth.
Further along, you will find “Monju,” a standing soba noodle shop. This shop, proud of its broth made from the first extraction of bonito flakes and its freshly boiled, additive-free soba, is open from early morning until late at night, satisfying the appetites of busy people. The “kakiage soba,” which features thin soba noodles topped with crispy kakiage fritters, is a simple yet deeply flavorful dish.
The appeal of this underground street is not limited to Japanese cuisine. Multinational restaurants such as the Thai restaurant “Monty” and the Vietnamese restaurant “Authentic” also line the corridor. At “Monty,” the authentic Thai-style fried noodles “Pad Thai” are popular, with their sweet and spicy seasoning and chewy rice noodles creating a perfect harmony. Meanwhile, at “Authentic,” you can enjoy Vietnamese home cooking such as fresh spring rolls filled with herbs and lemongrass minced pork rice.
Additionally, the izakaya “Tanbo” has been run by a married couple for over 35 years and is a famous establishment frequented by Asakusa entertainers and enka singers. In its warm atmosphere, you can spend a quietly reflective time.
This underground street is directly connected to Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line, Japan’s first subway built in the early Showa era, and was once a symbol of the fusion of cutting-edge technology and commerce. However, as times have changed and other underground shopping streets have disappeared, the Asakusa Underground Shopping Street has remained unchanged and continues to be loved by many people.
This underground street, which strongly retains the vestiges of the Showa era, gives you the sensation of having slipped back in time. In the modern age, where new things are constantly being born, this place, which continues to radiate unchanging charm, will remain a special presence for those who visit.