Niki no Kashi: The candy king of Ueno!
- japansophy
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Niki no Kashi (二木の菓子) is a legendary confectionery store nestled within the bustling Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district. For over 70 years, it has been a local and tourist favorite, famous for its vast and eclectic selection of snacks and sweets. This collection of shops (all within a few metres of each other) is a veritable paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth or a craving for Japanese treats. You can find almost any kind of Japanese snack imaginable here, from traditional "dagashi" (cheap sweets) to regional Kit Kat flavors, as well as an impressive array of international chocolates, candies, and savoury items. The store is well-known for offering significant discounts, especially for bulk purchases, making it the perfect place to stock up on souvenirs for friends and family, and the store's duty-free service makes it even more appealing to foreign visitors. Stepping inside Niki no Kashi is an experience in itself—a chaotic but delightful treasure hunt for delicious and affordable Japanese snacks. In the last few years, Niki no Kashi has expanded to other locations outside Ameyoko, notably Solamachi at Sky Tree.
Getting there: where is Niki no Kashi?
Niki no Kashi is located within Ameyoko market, near the southern entrance.
Nearest station: The Niki no Kashi shops are just a few minutes' walk north of Okachimachi Station (御徒町駅) on the JR Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line. They are also no more than 3 mins' walk from Ueno-Hirokoji Station (上野広小路駅) on the Ginza Metro line.
By taxi: A taxi can drop you off near the Okachimachi station entrances to Ameyoko market.
Accessibility: Ameyoko market is a flat, paved street. However, due to its very narrow passages and the sheer volume of people, it can become extremely crowded, especially on weekends. Navigating with strollers, wheelchairs, or large luggage during peak times can be very challenging. Be prepared for a bustling, shoulder-to-shoulder experience!
Opening hours & best time to visit
Niki no Kashi has longer opening hours than many other stores in the Ameyoko market.
Opening hours: Niki no Kashi is generally open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM but hours may vary on public holidays.
Best time to visit:
Weekday mornings: If you want to experience the vibrant atmosphere with slightly fewer crowds, aim for a weekday before lunch.
Evenings before closing: This is also a quieter time to shop and means you don't have to carry your purchases around all day!
Time to avoid: In Ameyoko market, weekends and Japanese national holidays can be incredibly (and sometimes uncomfortably) packed. The last few days of December, leading up to New Year's, are famously the busiest, with locals flocking for fresh seafood and New Year's provisions – a unique cultural sight, but extremely crowded!
Reservations & admission
Reservations: You won't need a reservation to shop your heart out at Niki no Kashi.
Admission price: Browsing Niki no Kashi is absolutely free! You only pay for the fantastic food, drinks, and bargains you snag.
Payment method: The accepted payment methods differ from store to store but you'll be able to pay by cash or credit card in most stores and by Suica in some of the newer branches of Niki no Kashi.
What can you see & do at Niki no Kashi?
One-stop Japanese candy shopping: This is what you come here for. If Niki no Kashi doesn't have it, you're unlikely to find it anywhere else! Niki no Kashi also has a wide range of "dagashi": cheap, nostalgic, retro-style Japanese sweets and snacks that you can stock up on and sample without breaking the bank.
Tax-free souvenirs: Niki no Kashi has a wide range of gift-packaged sweets, chocolates and crackers that make perfect souvenirs for friends and family back home. It also offers tax-free shopping, so you'll save at least 8% on your purchases.
Stock up on condiments and tea: While sweets and snacks are Niki no Kashi's calling card, they also offer a wide range of Japanese sauces, spices, ramen and other ingredients such as seaweed. You'll also be spoilt for choice here when it comes to teas (of all grades).
Japansophy’s Top Tips!
Don't stick to just one shop: The different Niki no Kashi premises tend to have slightly different stock, so try to find time to explore more than one.
Bring your passport: You should have your passport with you at all times in Japan anyway but you'll need it to take advantage of Niki no Kashi's tax-free shopping. Make sure you present it at the check-out.
Take a break: The beautiful little Marishiten Tokudaiji temple is right beside Niki no Kashi and is the perfect oasis for a brief shopping break or to while away some time before the shops open.
Facilities:
Since Niki no Kashi is within Ameya Yokocho, you can take advantage of all that the market has to offer .
Eating & drinking: You're surrounded by it! Countless street food stalls, small eateries, and restaurants line the market. You can easily find drinks and snacks: just find a quiet corner to enjoy them, since walking and eating is frowned upon in Japan, especially in a crowded space like Ameyoko market.
Toilets: Public restrooms are generally sparse directly within the narrow market alleys. Your best bet is to use the facilities within the nearby train stations or the department stores (like Matsuzakaya) located near the market's edges.
Baby-changing facilities: Dedicated baby-changing facilities can be found in the larger department stores or within the train stations, not typically within the market itself.
Other attractions nearby:
You're just a stone's throw from some other amazing attractions in Ueno.
Ueno Park: Just a stone's throw away, Ueno Park offers a complete change of pace with its vast green spaces, world-class museums (like the Tokyo National Museum), and Ueno Zoo.
Ueno Zoo: Japan's oldest zoo, famous for its pandas, is nestled within Ueno Park.
Tokyo National Museum: Dive deep into Japanese history and art at Japan's largest museum, also located in Ueno Park.
Nezu shrine: A pleasant walk from the western side of Ueno Park, this beautiful and serene Shinto shrine is famous for its tunnel of vermilion torii gates.
Ready for a taste of authentic Tokyo grit, delicious street food, and lively bargain hunting? Our 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary guides you through the vibrant energy of Ameyoko and balances it with Ueno's cultural treasures!