Kichijoji Sunroad 吉祥寺サンロード

Head to Kichijoji Sunroad for a vintage shopping experience

This famous shotengai in the hip Kichijoji neighborhood offers a retro vibe, great people watching, and a plethora of stores

It’s easy to get to Kichijoji Sunroad from both Shibuya and Shinjuku, but it’s actually outside Tokyo, in the small city of Musashino. This off-the-beaten-track neighborhood is one of the most popular to live in, thanks to its abundance of trendy boutiques and restaurants. The many universities surrounding it keeps its vibe youthful and fresh.

The Sunroad shotengai (covered shopping street), found west of JR Kichijoji station, is one of Kichijoji’s few tourist destinations. Built in the 1970s but renovated recently, Sunroad has a definitively retro vibe. Large glass roof panels cover the shotengai, thus allowing natural light to pour into the shops below while protecting shoppers from the natural elements. You can find traditional independent shops alongside brand new chain stores here — truly, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for new shoes, fresh tofu, Japanese hand cream or a vintage kimono, you’ll leave Sunroad satisfied.