Akabane Ichibangai Shopping Street

In short

Akabane Ichibangai Shopping Street is a shopping street centered on a main street extending approximately 400 meters north from the East Exit of JR Akabane Station. It originated from an association formed in 1946 with the goal of recovering from the postwar ruins. It is known as a shopping street famous for its large number of drinking establishments.

• ​The Arch in Front of the Station​​: There is an "Akabane Ichibangai" arch at the station's East Exit, and it can be seen in the same location in photographs dating around 1962.
• ​A Shopping Street Born from Mergers​​: Land readjustment combined the roads into one, leading to a merger with two neighboring merchant associations.
• ​Akabane Baka Matsuri​​: A spring festival that local shopkeepers started in 1956 inspired by April Fools' Day.

History & Highlights

​Akabane Ichibangai Shopping Street​ is a shopping street centered around a main street running about 400 meters north from the East Exit of JR Akabane Station, lined with approximately 100 shops.

Its beginnings date back to immediately after the end of World War II, when the area outside the East Exit of Akabane Station lay in ashes. To help the recovery, 18 like-minded individuals established the Akabane Reconstruction Association Shopping Street Commercial Cooperative in January 1946. Receiving the very first such approval from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the cooperative rebuilt the buildings into two-story wooden structures in September 1947. At the time, it had 67 members.

In 1952, work began on Tokyo's land readjustment plan, which shaped today's streetscape. Because the land readjustment merged roads into a single street, the association merged with Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street and Shoseikai to establish Akabane Ichibangai Shopping Street. Approval as a promotional association was granted in 1963.

The area to the north of Akabane Station's East Exit is also described as a drinking district originating from postwar black markets. Today, it is known as a shopping street famous for its many bars, and is also called a town of "senbero" (getting drunk for around 1,000 yen).

Viewing & Experience Points

• ​The Arch in Front of the Station​​: An arch reading "Akabane Ichibangai" stands in front of the East Exit of the station. Photographs of the station front around 1962 show the arch in the exact same place.
• ​Strolling the Alleys​​: Narrow alleys are lined with bars and izakaya. In addition to the lane known as "Ichibangai Silk Road," the adjacent OK Yokocho offers an alley about 100 meters long.
• ​Akabane Baka Matsuri​​: This festival began in 1956 when local shop owners organized it in connection with April Fools' Day in April. In its early days, shop owners were required to dress in costume, and visitors enjoyed guessing which shop each owner belonged to. For the inaugural event, costumed shop owners traveled by truck toward Ginza, Ueno, and Kawaguchi to promote the festival.

Walking Tips

It is a 1-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Akabane Station. Passing under the arch at the entrance, take a walk north along the main street. Many establishments open during the daytime, and it is said not to be uncommon to see regular patrons enjoying drinks in the early afternoon.

After strolling the street, on clear days it is also recommended to head further north toward the Arakawa River. Lawns spread across the riverbank, and in spring, cherry blossoms along the avenue of trees can be enjoyed. The Former Iwabuchi Floodgate, standing by the Arakawa River, is about 1.2 kilometers northeast from here.

If you take the JR Saikyo Line to the neighboring Jujo Station, you will find the covered arcade of Jujo Ginza Shopping Street. Comparing the two distinct shopping streets can make for a delightful walk.