2 Dagashiya Snack Shops around Tokyo Worth a Visit
When you think of classic Japanese snacks and candies, what comes to your mind first? As for me, that reminds me of “Dagashi (駄菓子)“.
As I wrote about it many times before, Dagashi is the generic name for cheap and unique Japanese snacks and candies.
The representative product includes Umaibo, Morinaga Ramune Soda Candy, Marukawa Fusen Gum, and Toril Chocolate.
The snack genre Dagashi has a long history, and the treats are especially popular with children as they can buy many varieties even with their little pocket money.
When I was small, there were many small snack shops around the country called “Dagashiya (駄菓子屋)” that specializes in Dagashi.
But circumstances that surrounded the shops changed, and most of them went out of business.
2 Worth-a-Visit Dagashiya in and around Tokyo
However, you can still find some Dagashiya in large cities.
If you are interested in Dagashi treats and have a plan to come to Japan for sightseeing, why not visit those old-fashioned candy shops that make many Japanese reminded of their childhood?
For those who want to see what Dagashiya is like, here I will introduce two shops in and around Tokyo that are worth a visit.
KamiKawaguchiYa (上川口屋) in Tokyo
Image: tabelog.com
“KamiKawaguchiYa (上川口屋)” is the oldest extant Dagashiya located in the precincts of the Buddhist temple “Kishimojindo (鬼子母神堂)” in Zoshigaya, Tokyo.
This shop was opened in 1781 and since then has been paid frequent visits by many Dagashi lovers.
A Dagashiya modeled after KamiKawaguchiYa actually appears in the Studio Ghibli’s anime film “Omohide Poro Poro (おもひでぽろぽ)” titled in English as “Only Yesterday”.
Shop Information: Kami-Kawaguchi Ya (上川口屋)
Address: 3-15-20 Zoshigaya, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Open: 10:00 to 17:00 (unless the weather is bad)
Yuyake Shoten (夕焼け商店) in Yokohama
Image: raumen.co.jp
“Yuyake Shoten (夕焼け商店)” is a Dagashiya in Shinyokohama Ramen Museum. The shop has a retro feel recreating the ambiance of a good-old Dagashiya.
In addition to having a wide range of Dagashi treats on offer, Yuyake Shoten also sells a variety of classic toys that bring back memories of our childhood.
In the same facility, there is a number of ramen restaurants that represent each region of Japan, where you can enjoy delicious noodles too.
Shop Information: Yuyake Shoten (夕焼け商店)
Address: 2-14-21 Shinyokohama, Kohoku-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture (MAP)
Open: 11:00 to 21:30 (Monday to Saturday) 10:30 to 21:30 (Sunday)
