Harmonica Yokocho

ハーモニカ横丁（はーもにかよこちょう / Hāmonika Yokochō）

A cluster of about 100 small shops and eateries in narrow alleys, just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station.

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Harmonica Yokocho (sometimes translated as Harmonica Alley) is a block of small shops just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station. About 100 shops line its narrow alleys, with retail shops busy during the day and restaurants and bars in the evening.

It began as a postwar black market, and a market in front of the station opened in 1945. In recent years, younger members of the local shopping association have taken the lead in running events such as the children's portable shrine (mikoshi) at the autumn festival and a monthly morning market.

There is also a curious story behind the name. According to the alley's official X account, its sign used the shortened Japanese spelling “Hamonika Yokocho” for 11 years—even though the official name is “Hāmonika Yokocho,” with a long “a.” A reproduction of the original sign restored the official spelling in December 2024.

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