If you have missed Hina Matsuri (Girl’s Day) or Tango no Sekku (Boy’s day) or an avid doll collector, you may want to stop at Asakubashi which is a famous wholesale area to view these traditional Japanese dolls(Hinaningyou and Gogatsuningyou). A doll will set you back by about 10000 yen but it is considered inexpensive considering the time taken to handcraft this exquisite delicate work of art.
A lesser known fact about the neighbourhood is it is a wholesale area for jewellery bits. If you have the time to spare do explore the town as you may find some unexpected surprises lurking round the corner!
Here is a hidden gem in the area, and perhaps you might want to visit shops found off the main road to pick up some souvenirs:
Strawberry Nice: just go down the tiny alley when you see KFC.
It is located at the end after you have exited from the station. What caught my attention was that it is retailing their earrings for just 88 Yen! Less that S$1.50 That’s a steal! Nowadays many people love to wear different earrings on each side. This pair of earrings reminds me of Japan (Goldfish & Wind Chime) what do you think?
Directions: Pop out of the station, turn left past the lottery booths and head down the main road. You will see KFC ahead, walk down the alley after KFC and you will come to this shop.
Kiwa is found along the main street and I noticed that the locals love to stop by that shop, perhaps you might want to visit it if you are in the area.
This shop deserves triple thumbs up! Have you ever tried a hole in the wall restaurant that serves at most 20 pax(8 in the room and 10-12 around the counter) and you are the only female among men in office clothes? I had that experience for the first time and if you love Unagi, then you can consider coming here. The lady boss told me that very few foreigners visit their shop.
The Unagi are freshly gutted and grilled right before your eyes. The freshly grilled unagi seemed thinner than air flown pre-packed unagi but the flesh was tender & juicy! You’ve got to try it! The flesh melts in your mouth!
Yoshida (Unagi Shop)
Opening Hours: 11.30AM – 2.00PM and 5.00PM-9.00PM
Rest Days : Sundays and Mondays
Directions: How to locate this shop? When you come out from JR Asakubashi, you will see the JR tracks running across the street. Please cross the road and follow the tracks to the end, you will see this shop! before Sumidagawa Terrace.
Snapshots of what is lurking under the railway tracks
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