Sakaemachi Street (or Sakaemachi-dori; Japanese: 栄町通り) is a historic alley (yokocho; 横丁) in Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. It is near Mikuni Alley (Mikuni-koji; 美久仁小路), which has the same status. Sakaemachi Street runs between Animate Street in the north and an unnamed one-way street in the south. It is around long, including the short section leading west from Animate Street, before a 90-degree turn to the south, containing izakayas, snack bars and restaurants. The businesses on the western side of the alley can also be accessed from Animate Street.
History
Ikebukuro was heavily damaged during World War II, with much of the land on the eastern side of Ikebukuro Station left in a burned state. After the war, black markets began to appear around the station, providing food and other essentials.
During a land readjustment in 1950–51, the local authority cleared the black markets, but the vendors moved slightly further out and established new markets. One of those new markets evolved into today's Sakaemachi Street (Sakaemachi-dori; 栄町通り).
Planning documents in Toshima Ward identify Sakaemachi Street and Mikuni Alley (Mikuni-koji; 美久仁小路) as historic alleys (yokocho; 横丁) and that their streetscapes should be preserved.Sakaemachi Street – Toshima City
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