2023-05-07 00:51:00
Column “Japanese Mother-in-Law Story” by “Sara-san”
Hello fellow readers Japan’s fun shopping spots are not only in the city centers or big shopping malls, but there are many so-called pedestrian shopping streets called “shotengai” all over Japan. which are often found around train stations around the temple or shrine and near residential areas Selling a variety of items that are essential to the lives of people in the neighborhood, each neighborhood has its own charm and identity.
Shotengai (商店街) Is a pedestrian street lined with shops on both sides from 30 or more shops, currently there are regarding 14,000 nationwide. There are both indoor and outdoor designs. It sells a variety of goods and services for people who live in the neighborhood mainly, including fruit and vegetable stores, butchers, snack shops. Japanese confectionery store Western confectionery restaurant Clothing store Shoe store Miscellaneous goods store Toy store Book store Kimono store Convenience store stationery shop Pet stores, pharmacies, to doctors’ clinics, post offices and banks, etc. It’s called collecting shopping and services in everyday life in one place.
What makes a shotengai different from a supermarket or department store? should be at the feeling of being close It is homey, friendly and lively. The feeling is probably similar to that of Thai people whose homes are near markets or shops in the community. Therefore, it is common to see salespeople and customers having friendly conversations.
The atmosphere of each shotengai is different. It depends on the history and culture of that area. What is the area that stands out in particular? What kind of population is there, etc. Shotengai allows us to see the charm of the community and the way of life of the people in that area as well. With shotengai in many districts having a long history Many of Japan’s long-established shops can be found in Shotengai.
“Harajuku for Grandma”
“Sugamo-Jizodori-Shotengai” (巣鴨地蔵通り商店街) which is near Sugamo Station in Tokyo is known as “Grandma’s Harajuku” because the area has a lot of elderly people living. This shotengai has a lot of Japanese sweets, such as shiodaifuku (塩大福, sweet and salted red bean mochi), which is a local specialty, Daigakui-ho (大学芋 fried sweet potato) senbei. (rice crackers) Dang Ngo (glutinous dough, molded into balls, skewers) There are almost a hundred years old bakeries that still sell old bread recipes pickle shop (Which the elderly usually like) An old-fashioned miscellaneous goods shop. A clothing store that focuses on elderly fashion and many other interesting things.
as a source for the elderly The shops in this area are well acquainted with the elderly customers. Calm and speaks slower than other shops in Tokyo. This neighborhood will rarely have stairs or obstacles. It is also wide enough to accommodate customers using wheelchairs. And the escalator at one side of the entrance of Sugamo Station moves slower than other stations because it is used by the elderly a lot. Such a friendly attitude towards the elderly is why the elderly always like to visit this area.
But it’s not that this area has charm only for grandparents. The street is 800 meters long and has over 200 shops to explore. More than 8 million people of every generation visit each year. Because there are many new generations and foreigners who like the old atmosphere of the Meiji, Taisho, Showa (1868 – 1989) era. This probably won’t disappoint.
The largest and oldest shotengai in Japan.
The largest shotengai in Japan is “Tenjinbashisuji-Shotengai” (天神橋筋商店街) In Osaka Prefecture, it is 2.6 km long and spans 6 blocks (1-6 choume) of Tenjinbashisuji area. This shotengai has been around for over 300 years since 2196, which corresponds to the Edo period. At first it was a vegetable market, then gradually expanded to have more shops added. Until now, there are up to 600 stores ever. With this much, I guess there will be a complete range of products and services.
For one of the most famous and oldest shotengai is “Asakusa-Nakamise-Shotengai” (浅草仲見世商店街) If anyone has ever been to worship at Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. There’s definitely no way to miss it. because it is a bustling shop on both sides of the road before reaching the temple itself In addition to selling souvenirs This shotengai is also famous for Also called “ningyo-yaki” (人形焼), this word literally translates to ‘grilled doll’. It sounds very scary. At first I heard the name and was startled. I thought it was some kind of ritual or not. It’s actually an egg cake made from molds of various shapes, with cream filling, red bean filling, and without filling. So I’m deceived to buy it from time to time.
Shotengai past and present
Readers may have already guessed that Shotengai has been with the Japanese community since ancient times. It is thought that the origin of the shotengai is the market in the Sengoku period (戦国時代, the civil war period), at that time it was an open-air market in the castle town under the rule of a daimyo. Later, it developed into a market in the provinces where there were some taverns clustered. near some temples or shrines in some port city and some along the highway Nowadays, many people live near the train station. Therefore, walk around the station which is a community area. It should be easy to meet a shotengai.
It is said that in the old days, every shotengai was the busiest street in the city. But sadly, nowadays, many shops have to close due to changes in the times such as fewer pedestrians. turn to use more cars making it inconvenient to go shopping at Shotengai because there is no parking space In addition, consumption patterns have changed. There are more and more large stores that can fully meet the needs of customers. Including shotengai, there are also problems of their own, for example, the store owner cannot find a successor. dilapidated shop lack of interest Or not adapt to the era, etc.
The government and various shotengai are also trying to find a way to restore it. This requires the creativity of the shop owner to respond to the needs of the local people. How to create a point of interest to become a bustling neighborhood? Some districts use the method of organizing events, arranging themes, using popular characters such as cartoon characters, or celebrities, or organizing promotions for goods and services starting at “100 yen” per month. It may be sold in smaller quantities for 100 yen, etc. For the empty store space, it can be used for organizing activities or being useful. so that people do not feel that there are few shops in the area and do not want to walk
Tips for Walking the Shotengai Area
Probably because the shops in Shotengai are like community markets. Therefore, it closes quite early, around 6 pm, so it’s ideal to go from late to late followingnoon. In addition, it’s a good idea to prepare cash in the form of several thousand yen banknotes or pennies. Because there may be many stores that do not accept credit cards. And don’t forget to bring your own shopping bags. If it’s good, carry a bag in case you put the garbage as well. Because Japan is hard to find garbage bins. Then go throw it away at the trash cans at major train stations or hotels.
If buying food, snacks or drinks don’t walk and eat To sit at the bench or stand to eat in the area provided by the shop. (And can request to throw away the garbage caused by the food that we bought from that store) or take it back to eat at the accommodation. Do not accidentally carry food or drinks from other places into the store (someone has been scolded in the past) and should avoid dragging a suitcase into the store. Because they are often narrow and obstruct the path. Including not walking in the middle of the road Try to walk left or right as most people walk. and not making noise
It might seem that there is something to be careful regarding. But Japan is like that. If we go to his house honor each other by following their rules So that it will not be negative news that many Thai people are uncomfortable with.
See you next week. Hello.
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“Sara-san” She used to live in Tokyo for more than 5 years and currently follows her husband to work in the United States. Follow the column. “Japanese Love Story” at MGR Online Every Sunday.
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