Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I visited one of Tokyo's popular spots, **Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street**. Stretching about 1.3 kilometers with over 400 shops, this lively shopping street is a foodie paradise where you can enjoy delicious treats at every turn while simply strolling through!
- A Cozy Lunch with Pan-Fried Soup Dumplings: "Ryuki"
- Drawn in by the Sweet Aroma: "Good Bread La Pan"
- Oden-Flavored Croquettes? "Goto Kamaboko Shop"
- Togoshi Ginza’s Famous Croquettes: 355 Meat & Deli
- Blessings for Prosperity: "Hotoku Inari Shrine"
- Spice-Scented Fried Chicken: "Tori & Deli"
- Light and Fluffy: "Kameya Mannendo's Fresh Nabona"
- Timeless Senbei Delights: "Osenbeiya Honpo Senyu"
- Break Time: "Pedra Branca"
A Cozy Lunch with Pan-Fried Soup Dumplings: "Ryuki"
First up was Ryuki, famous for its pan-fried soup dumplings. It’s one of the most popular spots on the shopping street. I ordered the set meal with chicken porridge and four dumplings—paired perfectly with a cold beer!
The chicken porridge was gentle on the stomach, with a soothing flavor that warmed me from the inside.
Now, onto the star of the show—the pan-fried soup dumplings… but these turned out to be quite tricky!
There was a warning on the wall that said, "Watch out for the juice—it flies!" But by the third dumpling, I let my guard down, and *splat*! My white sweater got a splash of soup. The trick is to poke a small hole on the side, sip out the soup, and then take a bite. It was a battle of deliciousness and technique—and I definitely experienced both (haha)!
Drawn in by the Sweet Aroma: "Good Bread La Pan"
Photo is from the official website
I stopped by Good Bread La Pan, a bakery located just before the dumpling shop, and grabbed a loaf of bread to take home!
I stopped by Good Bread La Pan, a bakery located just before the dumpling shop, and grabbed a loaf of bread to take home!
Oden-Flavored Croquettes? "Goto Kamaboko Shop"
Next, I visited Goto Kamaboko Shop, known for its unique croquettes. Their standout creation? The “Oden Croquette”!
This croquette, inspired by the ingredients of oden, delivers an authentic oden flavor that spreads through your mouth with every bite.
I also picked up a few kamaboko (fish cakes) to take home, saving them as a treat to enjoy later that evening.
Togoshi Ginza’s Famous Croquettes: 355 Meat & Deli
When it comes to shopping streets, croquettes are a must! At 355 Meat & Deli, their Togoshi Ginza Croquette stands out with its simple yet nostalgic flavor.
I also picked up a few other items, like the beef tendon croquette and menchi katsu. I wanted to try them freshly fried, but I was already too full, so I saved them as a treat for the evening!
Blessings for Prosperity: "Hotoku Inari Shrine"
I stumbled upon Hotoku Inari Shrine while walking through the shopping street. This shrine, dedicated to the deity of prosperity, seems to be highly valued by the local shopkeepers. After offering my prayers, I continued my journey toward the western side of the street.
Miyagawa Unagi marks the westernmost point of the street. From here, I’ll head back east to explore the rest!
Spice-Scented Fried Chicken: "Tori & Deli"
Next, I stopped by Tori & Deli, where I picked up freshly fried **karaage mix** and the spiced Taiwanese-style chicken cutlet (Taiwan Da Ji Pai). The juicy and spicy aroma was absolutely mouthwatering!
The karaage mix includes both thigh and breast meat. The flavor is the same, but it’s nice to enjoy a mix of textures!
Since they fry everything fresh to order, I had a short wait inside the shop. During that time, I couldn’t help but chuckle at a nostalgic, retro-style poster on the wall. The charming, Showa-era vibe made even the waiting time enjoyable!
Light and Fluffy: "Kameya Mannendo's Fresh Nabona"
Along the shopping street, I came across Kameya Mannendo, where they sell their freshly prepared “Nama Nabona”. Since it had to be eaten by the end of the day, I decided to enjoy it on the spot!
Since there was no eat-in space, I decided to enjoy it outside the shop. It was a bit cramped, but the deliciousness made it all worthwhile!
The Cafe Au Lait Nama Nabona was a delightful balance of mildly bitter coffee cream and sweet milk cream—I was absolutely impressed!
Timeless Senbei Delights: "Osenbeiya Honpo Senyu"
The last stop on my journey was the traditional senbei shop, Senyu (Osenbeiya Honpo), located right next to Omedetaiyaki-san.
Their signature black pepper senbei was an absolute delight, with just the right kick of spiciness that makes it addictively delicious. I found myself wishing I had bought more! Though the shop isn’t very big, it was bustling with customers, full of lively energy. Unfortunately, I got so caught up in the experience that I forgot to take any pictures—what a shame (haha)!
Break Time: "Pedra Branca"
After finishing my stroll through the shopping street, my final stop was the café Pedra Branca.
I took a relaxing break with a large mug filled to the brim with delicious coffee.
With my shopping bags completely full and the weight of everything I’d bought, I decided to skip the other spots I had planned to visit.
What to Bring and Important Tips
- Bring your eco-bag: A must-have for buying souvenirs and goods!
- Be sure to bring cash: Some shops in the shopping street are cash-only.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: The shopping street is long, so comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
I walked, ate, and explored to my heart's content at Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street! Before I knew it, my hands were full of souvenirs, and my stomach was completely satisfied. It was a fulfilling and truly happy day!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun