Tokyo Character Street
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: August 28, 2026 · Facts verified: August 28, 2026
- Area
- Marunouchi / Chiyoda
- Best For
- Families, Anime Fans, Souvenir Shopping
Visiting Tokyo Character Street
Tokyo Character Street is a shopping street inside Tokyo Station Ichibangai (also marketed in English as First Avenue Tokyo Station), lined with more than 30 official character-goods shops covering Pokemon, Studio Ghibli, Sanrio, and Weekly Shonen Jump franchises, plus Chiikawa, Kirby, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider. It sits on B1F, outside the JR ticket gates, so you don't need a train ticket or platform pass to browse it, only to actually board a train.
The street opened on March 8, 2008, when Tokyo Station Ichibangai consolidated around 10 character shops that were already operating separately inside the station into one dedicated stretch. Since then, the shop lineup has kept turning over as franchises rotate in and out, so treat any specific shop list, including this one, as a snapshot rather than a permanent roster.
Because it sits inside one of Tokyo's busiest stations, Character Street works as well as a between-trains stop as it does a dedicated destination. A quick lap past the headline shops fits comfortably into a 30-minute layover before a Shinkansen departure, while a slower, more thorough browse of most of the stores can run past an hour or two. It suits families with kids after character souvenirs, and anime or gaming fans connecting through Tokyo Station who don't have time to detour out to Akihabara.
Character Street shares its underground level with two separate, similarly named facilities inside the same Ichibangai complex: Tokyo Ramen Street, a row of ramen restaurants, and Tokyo Okashi Land, a snack and candy shopping street. Both are worth knowing about if you get hungry after shopping, but neither is part of Character Street's own shop lineup.
Things to Do at Tokyo Character Street
Browse Pokemon Store Tokyo Station
Pokemon Store Tokyo Station, on B1F, is one of Character Street's most consistently busy shops. Its best-known exclusive is the Stationmaster Pikachu, a Tokyo Station-only figure dressed as a JR stationmaster, a popular pick for a souvenir you won't find at other Pokemon Center locations.
Shop for Studio Ghibli Goods at Donguri Kyowakoku
Donguri Kyowakoku is the official Studio Ghibli goods shop, stocking plush toys, stationery, and homeware based on films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Kiki's Delivery Service. It's one of the more reliable places in central Tokyo to find current Ghibli merchandise without a trip out to the Ghibli Museum itself.
Pick Up Manga Merchandise at JUMP SHOP
JUMP SHOP carries official merchandise from Weekly Shonen Jump franchises, including One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Expect figures, apparel, and stationery covering whichever series are currently popular, since the exact stock rotates alongside the manga's own publishing cycle.
Browse Sanrio, Chiikawa Land, and Miffy Style
Sanrio's shop covers Hello Kitty and its wider character lineup, Chiikawa Land is dedicated to the viral Chiikawa franchise, and Miffy Style stocks goods based on Dick Bruna's Miffy character. All three lean toward plush toys, stationery, and small homeware pieces that pack easily for the trip home.
Check Out Kirby, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider Shops
Kirby Cafe PETIT, Ultraman World M78, and Kamen Rider Store Tokyo cover three long-running Japanese character franchises, each with its own dedicated shop rather than a shared display case. These tend to draw a different crowd than the anime and Sanrio-adjacent shops nearby, useful if your group has a mix of interests.
Confirm the Current Shop Lineup Before You Go
Character Street's roster has changed meaningfully even in recent memory, with shops opening and closing as franchises rotate through the space. If a specific shop is the reason for your visit, it's worth a quick check of Tokyo Station Ichibangai's own shop directory shortly before you go, rather than relying on any single list, including this one, as permanent.
How to Get to Tokyo Character Street
Tokyo Character Street sits underground inside Tokyo Station Ichibangai, on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station, in Marunouchi, Chiyoda.
The most direct route is through the Yaesu Underground Central Gate, which puts you right at the entrance to the Ichibangai shopping area without needing to pass through any train ticket gate.
Yaesu Underground Central Gate
Follow signs for the Yaesu Underground Central Gate from within Tokyo Station. This route is outside the paid area of the station, so it works whether or not you're catching a train that day.
If You're Transferring Trains or Catching a Shinkansen
If you're already inside the ticket gates transferring between lines or waiting for a Shinkansen, you'll need to exit through a ticket gate to reach Character Street, then pass back through to re-board, so budget a few extra minutes if you plan to browse mid-transfer with checked luggage or a tight connection.
Tokyo Station Is Large, Follow the Signage
Tokyo Station is one of the largest and busiest stations in Japan, with multiple exits, underground passages, and shopping areas that can be disorienting on a first visit. Overhead directional signs toward Tokyo Character Street or First Avenue Tokyo Station are posted throughout the Yaesu underground area, and following them is more reliable than trying to navigate from memory.
Best Time to Visit Tokyo Character Street
Weekday mornings or early evenings for shorter queues at the most popular shops; weekends bring noticeably heavier crowds.
Entry Fee & Hours
Nearby Attractions
Combine with Tokyo Character Street on the same day
Akihabara Electric Town
Ginza
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Tsukiji Outer Market
Kabukiza Theatre
Frequently Asked Questions
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