横丁(よこちょう)

よこちょう
noun
side street; alley; lane
geography
1. side street; alley; lane
A narrow street branching off from a main road, especially in older neighborhoods. Often lined with small shops, bars, or restaurants. The word evokes a nostalgic, lively atmosphere of traditional urban Japan.
横丁(よこちょう)に小(ちい)さな居酒屋(いざかや)がある。
There's a small izakaya in the alley.
この横丁(よこちょう)は昭和(しょうわ)の雰囲気(ふんいき)が残(のこ)っている。
This alleyway still has a Showa-era atmosphere.
新宿(しんじゅく)の思(おも)い出(で)横丁(よこちょう)は観光客(かんこうきゃく)にも人気(にんき)がある。
Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku is popular with tourists too.

横丁(よこちょう) refers to a narrow side street, typically lined with small shops, bars, or restaurants. It evokes a nostalgic, lively atmosphere of traditional urban Japan. Also written as 横町(よこちょう).

Cultural note

Common in the names of entertainment districts packed with small bars and restaurants:

Similar words

  • 路地(ろじ): narrow alley, often residential and quiet
  • 小路(こうじ): small road or lane
  • 横丁(よこちょう) typically implies a lively commercial area with eating and drinking establishments

Related Words

Synonym: 小路(こうじ) (narrow lane)
Compare: 路地(ろじ) (narrow alley, often residential…)
Related: 路地裏(ろじうら) (back alley, backstreet)
Compare: 裏路地(うらろじ) (back alley)
Compare: 飲(の)み屋街(やがい) (bar district)
Compare: 屋台村(やたいむら) (food stall village)
general
Added 2026.3.23 21:07 · Revised 2026.10.19 9:57
18500/18976_yokochou