Joyful Minowa

In short

Joyful Minowa is an arcade shopping street that runs parallel to the train tracks from Minowabashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line. Its official name is the Minowa Ginza Shopping Street, and this street dating back to the Taisho era is also known as a filming location for movies and television dramas.

• ​An Arcade Running Straight​​: Beneath a triangular roof that lets in natural light, a street of about 400 meters extends straight ahead.
• ​A Street Lined with Independent Shops​​: Butchers, produce stands, and prepared-food shops line the street, allowing visitors to enjoy strolling while eating freshly bought tempura.
• ​A Renowned Filming Location​​: It has been used as a filming site for works such as the film Shoplifters and the television drama 3nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei.

History and Highlights

Joyful Minowa is an arcade shopping street running alongside the train tracks from Minowabashi Stop to Arakawa-itchumae Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line. Its official name is the Minowa Ginza Shopping Street, but locals affectionately refer to it by the common name "Joyful Minowa."

The shopping street was formed in 1919 (Taisho 8) following the opening of the Oji Electric Railway, the predecessor of the Toden Arakawa Line. The Minowabashi end of the shopping street is located right next to Minowabashi Stop.

The street is covered by a fully enclosed (zengaishiki) arcade with a roof that can open and close automatically, extending straight for about 400 meters. Both sides are lined with butcher shops, produce stands, dried fish sellers, bakeries, miso shops, clothing stores, stationery stores, coffee shops, and more. The shops are almost entirely privately owned, with virtually no nationwide chain stores.

The classic, nostalgic atmosphere of this roofed street has long been appreciated, making it a popular filming location since earlier times. Television dramas such as 3nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei and Sanbiki no Ossan, as well as the movie Shoplifters, which won the top award at the Cannes Film Festival, were filmed here.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​The Triangular-Roofed Arcade​​: Looking down the street from the Minowabashi side, a triangular roof that allows outside light through extends overhead. The street is wide enough for about five people to walk side by side. Because it is a covered arcade, it is an easy place to stroll even on rainy days.
• ​Strolling with Prepared Food​​: Prepared-food shops offer tempura at reasonable prices, making it enjoyable to eat while exploring. Near the entrance of the shopping street, there is also a long-established tsukudani (simmered savory preserves) shop founded in 1927.
• ​Soba Restaurant with a Tiled Roof​​: An eye-catching building with a tiled roof inside the shopping street is a historic soba noodle restaurant established during the Edo period. Try searching for these traditional shopfronts as you walk along.

Walking Tips

Upon exiting Minowabashi Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line, the shopping street is right beside you. It is also about a 6-minute walk from Minowa Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Entering from the Minowabashi side and walking northwest alongside the Toden tracks will bring you near Arakawa-itchumae Stop. For the return trip, you can board the Toden from Arakawa-itchumae Stop. It is recommended to explore the street in combination with Minowabashi Stop.