Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho

In a narrow alley near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, you will find many shops with either red-lit lanterns or neon lights to attract customers along the railroad tracks. This alley, with its rows of shops and their nostalgic warmth, is called Omoide Yokocho.
Built on what was once a burnt field in post-war Tokyo, the shops of many street vendors and black market dealers here were only separated by a single wood board for a wall. Most items sold were daily goods as well as black market contraband. As time went by, many stores were evicted during the land readjustment and development movement, and it eventually became the place you see today. If you want to open a store in this area, however, having just a single wood board separating you from neighboring stores still remains the norm here, just like old times.

During the post-war period of economic control, the alley became renowned for shops serving the internal giblets of cows and pigs because they were relatively easy to obtain.
That is why there are still many “motsu” or giblet and Yakitori shops mixed with taverns and small restaurants in this alley.
Today, there are over 80 shops, including restaurants, ticket shops and general goods stores, and the area is now popular among women and foreign tourists.