Market¥Daily 10:00-20:00 (vendor hours vary)
Ameya-Yokocho in Tokyo's Ueno is the post-war black-market street under the JR tracks, 400 stalls of fish, dried goods, spices, takoyaki and cheap clothing.
Tip: Saturday afternoons are dense; weekday mornings are calmer. The dried-fish stalls and the okonomiyaki carts are the local lunch order.
Market¥Daily 10:30-20:00
Isetan Shinjuku's basement depachika in Tokyo is the world's most chosen department-store food hall: 60 counters of bento, sushi, wagashi, French patisserie.
Tip: The 19:30 half-price markdown on bento and prepared food is the local move. Wagashi seasonal collections drop monthly.
Market¥Daily 10:00-19:30
Mitsukoshi Nihombashi's depachika in Tokyo holds the heritage Edo-period food shops in its basement: Tokyo's wagashi houses, century-old tea, premium sake.
Tip: The Toraya yokan counter and the Higashiya wagashi flagship are both here. Saturday morning is the calmest window.
Market¥Daily 10:00-20:00
Takashimaya Times Square depachika in Tokyo's Shinjuku is the south-side department-store basement. 70 counters of bento, wagashi and French patisserie.
Tip: Less crowded than Isetan, equally well shortlisted. The fruit counter and the kaiseki bento stalls are the picks.
Market¥Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00, mostly closed Sundays
Kappabashi-dori in Tokyo's Asakusa is the 800-metre Kitchenware Town with 170 specialist shops. Carbon knives, ceramic ware, lacquer and sample food.
Tip: Tsubaya and Kamata are the canonical knife shops; both offer English-friendly service. Closed Sundays.
Market¥Daily 10:00-20:30
Daimaru Tokyo Station depachika is the food hall attached to Tokyo Station's Yaesu exit. 50 counters of pre-train bento, gourmet retail and seasonal wagashi.
Tip: Best ekiben for Shinkansen rides. Buy the bento at the station entrance and eat on the train.