I visited Sugamo, affectionately known as 'The Harajuku for Grannies'! It is a fashion district geared towards the greying hair generation. This is a hip place where they can buy their “Akai Pantsu” which is believed to bring good luck to the wearer. I know red pants may not be on your shopping list but why not bring back some of the area specialities from Jizo Dori the shopping street of Sugamo.
1) When I walked past this shop, I heard some Japanese commenting that this shop is famous for its Salted Daifuku. Daifuku are usually sweet, so therefore you’ve got to try this unusual combination . It tasted a bit like salted green bean paste with bits of red beans. I don’t think you can get this in Singapore. So if you like it, perhaps you may consider buying a few pieces for home.
2) Doesn’t this shop’s rice cracker remind you of Famous Amos’s icing biscuit? Instead of a plain Senbei, why not give your friend a Senbei with some well wishes
on it?
3) Have you tried pickled garlic with wolfberries? Dipped your cucumber sticks into garlic miso / yuzu garlic miso paste (the miso contains slices of garlic) or ate Black Garlic? If you have not, here is a snapshot of one shop which sells these items. I bought a clove of black garlic, will let you know my opinion of it when I cook it with pasta. By the way, do note that you are only to eat one slice from the clove per day and not gobble the whole clove in one day!
4) Nom, Nom, Nom! Satisfy your Kit Kat cravings at convenience stores like Family Mart & Newsday! My favourite flavour is Chilli Dark Chocolate Kit Kat, I found it at the museum store in Matsumoto City.
6) Sugamo is a Seaweed paradise. It has more than 5 stores selling different types of Japanese Seaweed. If you prepare Miso Soup at home, why not use Mekabu(めかぶ) as an alternative to wakame. Add this to boiling soup and it will give the soup a different texture.
* Tip – Some of the stores sell the same goods but at different prices. So do walk around before making a purchase.
Directions:
Cross the street when you come out of the station and turn to your right. You will see an alleyway resembling the picture on the left. Walk along the alleyway and you will come to Sugamo Market along Jizo Dori.
