Ueno Chuo Dori street (Ueno Chuo Dori Shop Association)

Ueno Hirokouji street has a storied history, beginning with its construction in year 2 of the Kan’ei Era (1625) as a Monzencho, or temple town. The area prospered as a part of the Shogun’s itinerary on outings, and during the Genroku Era (1688-1704), it became known as one of the three great main streets in Edo (the old name for Tokyo) alongside Ryougoku and Asakusa. The area would experience various resurgences after suffering repeated damage from earthquakes and fires, and has since grown to be one of the foremost entertainment districts in Tokyo.
The Ueno Chuo Dori Shop Association consists of about 100 member stores, including long-established venues to commercial facilities and even railway operators, located in the 1000-meter (0.63 mile) “Chuo Dori” street spanning between Ueno Hirokouji street and Ueno Station.
The Ueno area has grown to include famed sightseeing spots such as Ueno Onshi Park with museums and cultural facilities, Ameyoko district with the wide variety of shops, and the Ueno Hirokouji street and Okamachi areas, all of which have evolved around Ueno Chuo Dori street, making it one of Japan’s most treasured towns.