Jul 7, 2013 - 2 min read

Eat Street at Omoide Yokocho

Ready for a food hopping tour?

By Jeremy Yap

Community writer

Public toilets only (females have to walk pass three urinals to reach the cubicles)

Its just small street to the side of a busy road. If you´re not careful, you might just miss it. Omoide Yokocho or Memory Lane is located off the busy streets of Shinjuku and in it, rows of vendors selling ramen, rice dons and yakitori joints. Its all the Japanese food you can get your hands on in a 100 meter long lane way. The lane itself is tiny and you can really feel the squeeze here. But it also enhances the senses upon breathing in the smoke from barbecued food to the fresh nectar of Miso from the numerous ramen stores around. Food here is affordable to say the very least, priced at 500 Yen and above, you can even do a food hopping tour by jumping from stall to stall and trying out the different delicacies available. Best of all, it wouldn´t burst your budget. One word of caution, do not use the public toilet in the lane if you´re a female, unless you´re comfortable walking pass three stationary urinals (which might be occupied) to reach the cubicles that you need. I would suggest heading up to McDonalds at the opposite side of the street to use the toilet instead.

Was this article helpful?

Help us improve the site

Give Feedback

By Jeremy Yap

Community writer

Following Follow

Kim 5 years ago

I feel like you can see the character just bursting from these places!

Jon Collins 10 years ago

Great pictures (night photography is difficult) and an interesting and much-needed story on finding affordable street eats in the back streets of Tokyo. These are the kinds of eateries that budget travellers, students and backpackers would love! I once discovered this street when showing my parents around Shinjuku and they loved the whole experience. Authentic and amazing food, crowded with people and I can understand why!

2 comments in total