Daiya-gai (Diamond Shopping Arcade)

The fabric of Kichijoji

Where possible I use the English name for places on reviews on City-cost, for two reasons. One, expats who are new here might not know the Japanese name to search for it. Two, there is plenty of Japanese online about these places and less in the English language. But sometimes, the use of Japanese is necessary. Cue; Daiya-gai. Daiya-gai has an English name, "Diamond Shopping Arcade", but their English facing materials actually use "Daiya Shopping Arcade". Moreover, even in English guidebooks and travel blogs Daiya is most frequently used. It is an excellent example of an old-style shopping arcade. I love visiting it as it feels more retro, varied and local than Sun Road. They are beside each other, but Daiya is the one that feeds into the excellent Harmonica Alley / Yokocho.