Discovering Togoshi Ginza: A Local’s Street Food Adventure

Discover the authentic charm of Tokyo’s longest shopping street through the eyes of a local resident. From century-old traditional shops to modern cafes, hidden shrines, and the famous “Tabe-aruki” food culture. Join me as I share my favorite spots for the best oden, Japanese tea, and unique treats like unagi-imo ice cream, along with insider tips on when to visit this vibrant 1.3-kilometer stretch that captures the essence of real Tokyo life.

Location & Access

Nearest Subway Stations

Togoshi Ginza is a vibrant 1.3-kilometer shopping street located in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, easily accessible from Tokyu Ikegami Line Togoshi-Ginza Station or Toei Subway Togoshi Station. 

When to visit

Why Togoshi Ginza Stands Out

The Story Behind the Name

• Ginza needed to clean up their broken bricks
• Togoshi needed materials to build better streets

So, the people of Togoshi worked very hard. They went back and forth to Ginza many times with their carts to bring back the bricks. They carefully laid these bricks on their street, one by one. Because they used Ginza’s bricks to build their street, in 1927, they decided to name it “Togoshi Ginza.”

Today, while many shopping streets in Japan are becoming quiet, Togoshi Ginza is still full of life and welcomes over 10,000 visitors every day. The name “Ginza” brought good luck to our street, and that’s why you can find many shopping streets named “Ginza” all across Japan today!

This is why Togoshi Ginza is special – it has a real connection to the original Ginza, unlike many other shopping streets that just borrowed the name.

Food Paradise: A Tabe-Aruki Adventure

Togoshi Ginza is famous for “Tabe-aruki” – the delightful practice of sampling street food while strolling. This casual dining style lets you experience multiple flavors of the street in one visit, making it a food lover’s paradise.

Goto Kamaboko Ten (後藤蒲鉾店）

Oden is a traditional Japanese winter comfort food – a simmering hot pot filled with various ingredients like fishcakes, daikon radish, boiled eggs, and konnyaku (yam cake) in a rich, savory dashi broth. It’s typically found at convenience stores and street food stalls during cold months, warming both bodies and souls.

The genius of Goto Kamaboko Ten lies in transforming this winter favorite into a year-round treat. They’ve taken the beloved ingredients from oden and crafted them into a crispy, golden-brown croquette. Unlike typical Japanese croquettes that are served with sauce, these unique oden croquettes are designed to be enjoyed as is, allowing you to fully appreciate the complex flavors of oden that have been cleverly transformed into croquette form. Each bite delivers the authentic taste of oden in a crispy, handheld package.

Unagi Imo Store うなぎいもストア TOKYO

Unagi-Imo Store showcases a remarkable example of sustainable food innovation. Their star ingredient, “unagi-imo” (eel potato), represents a creative approach to food upcycling – these special sweet potatoes are grown using fertilizer made from eel bones and heads that would otherwise go to waste. This unique cultivation method not only reduces food waste but also results in exceptionally rich, flavorful sweet potatoes.　

While their Unagi-Imo Soft Serve has become an Instagram sensation, drawing crowds for its photogenic appearance, there’s much more to discover here. The signature soft serve combines milk-based ice cream infused with sweet potato paste, crowned with delicate mont blanc-style sweet potato strands. Though visually stunning, don’t let its social media fame limit your choices. As a local, I’ve found some of their less photographed items to be even more delightful – from their seasonal specials to their creative sweet potato confections. Each treat offers a sophisticated balance of flavors that caters to those who appreciate subtly sweet desserts rather than overwhelming sweetness.

PedraBranca Cafe  ペドラブランカ　

Pedra Branca has earned a devoted following for their handcrafted thick pancakes. What makes these pancakes special is their commitment to simplicity and quality – each one is carefully made using 100% Niigata-grown rice flour, making them naturally gluten-free without any baking powder or additives.

Their signature rice flour pancakes represent Japanese craftsmanship at its finest. Made without honey, these pancakes are safe even for babies while appealing to all age groups. The texture is uniquely different from regular wheat pancakes – lighter yet satisfying, with a natural sweetness that lets the pure flavor of the rice shine through.

 The space is relatively spacious and accommodates strollers, making it an ideal spot for families with young children

Husky Gelato  ハスキージェラート

Nestled in the same space as Pedra Branca, Husky Gelato brings artisanal Japanese gelato to Togoshi Ginza. What makes this gelato shop special is their commitment to showcasing Japan’s agricultural diversity – they source seasonal fruits and vegetables from across the country and transform them into creative gelato flavors at their factory in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture.

農家が惚れ込んだ極上メロン🍈

茨城県鉾田市のメロン農家、根崎さんから美味しいメロンが届きました。

メロン王国、茨城県のオリジナル品種「イバラキング」。

王様の風格を思わせる大玉の果実のとろけるような舌触りと甘さ、爽やかな風味をお楽しみください😸https://t.co/W7jRgVCmYp pic.twitter.com/47ohVHOCkM

— ハスキージェラート公式 (@huskygelato) July 15, 2023

Where to Eat: A Local’s Food Guide

Here are my go to restaurants:

Togoshiya: A Rice Ball Paradise

In the heart of Togoshi Ginza, Togoshiya has earned a reputation for serving some of Tokyo’s finest onigiri (rice balls). With over 40 varieties made fresh before your eyes, each rice ball is generously sized and served warm, using carefully selected premium rice – currently featuring the sweet and chewy “Tsuyahime” variety from Yamagata Prefecture.

Their top three bestsellers showcase their creativity:

1. Egg Yolk + Minced Meat (soy sauce-marinated egg yolk with sweet-savory ground meat)
2. Mentaiko Mayo + Grilled Cod Roe (a unique combination of spicy cod roe)
3. Classic Salmon (carefully baked and hand-flaked)

As a local, I can confidently say their “Togoshi-maru Karaage” (fried chicken) is among the best I’ve ever tasted. This perfectly crispy yet juicy fried chicken is marinated for 24 hours in a special blend of soy sauce and spices, creating an unforgettable flavor that keeps customers coming back. The shop has become so popular that they’ve opened a second location in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka area.

What makes this place especially appealing for families is their thoughtful approach to dining with children. The restaurant is fully equipped for families with young children, offering kids’ menus and welcoming babies and school-age children alike1. They provide special tableware for toddlers, including cups, serving bowls, forks, and spoons, making it a stress-free dining experience for parents with young children.

While the quality and taste make it worth the wait, visitors should be prepared for potential delays at this popular spot. You may encounter:

• Queue times ranging from 0-20 minutes to place your order
• Additional 10+ minutes waiting time for your fresh onigiri to be prepared, as each rice ball is made to order