[For Ages 2–5] “Mampuku Yokocho” | A Picture Book Review of a Bustling Food Alley Adventure

タイトル：Mampuku Yokocho
作・絵：Kumiko Nakazawa
出版社：Bunkeido
発行日：October 5, 2020
対象年齢：Preschoolers
ISBN:978-4799903834

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TOC

Synopsis

＼　The three highlights of this picture book!／

Intricate illustrations that make picture-hunting fun
The nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shopping street
A heartwarming outing with Grandpa

Festival Day at the Bustling Alley
It’s the day of the “Fuku Market.” The protagonist, “I,” goes out with Grandpa to the lively Mampuku Yokocho. The shopping street is overflowing with the aromas of food—oden stalls, dumpling shops, fruit vendors—and filled with cheerful crowds.
Enjoying Shopping Together
Drawn in by the smell of yakitori, peeking into the pickle shop… Hand in hand with Grandpa, the child explores many shops along the way. The storefronts are packed with food and trinkets, so lively that just looking at them brings joy.
Encounter with a Little Deity
Along the path, they discover a small shrine dedicated to a tanuki spirit. In the midst of the bustling market, a touch of mystery appears. Surrounded by food and festivity, the day becomes a heartwarming outing to remember.

Impressions

A Picture Book That Expands Conversation
- When my son was 3 years and 2 months old, we first borrowed this book from the library and then decided to buy it. He was fascinated by the tiny details of the people drawn in the illustrations. Instead of focusing on the storyline, he kept asking, “What is this person doing? What are they saying?” Each time, we imagined conversations—the grandmother buying persimmons, the child begging for ramen, the family strolling together. It wasn’t quite a typical “read-aloud” experience, but I realized this was his unique way of enjoying the book.
The Joy of Having Favorite Scenes
- The daruma dolls in the café, the antique shop, and the “secret of secrets” at the Fuku Market… these became my son’s favorite parts, and he would smile happily each time we turned those pages. (A Fuku Market is a traditional Japanese fair or “lucky market” held on festival days, bustling with food and entertainment.) I myself wanted to own a maneki-tanuki—a “beckoning tanuki” figurine, similar in spirit to the more widely known maneki-neko (beckoning cat) that is believed to bring good fortune. We both became completely absorbed in the world of this book. The illustrated map also adds to the fun, letting you feel as if you’re really wandering through a Japanese shopping alley.
An Experience That Connects to Real Life
- Even at age four, he still loved reading this book almost every day. One day, when we visited an actual food alley, he suddenly exclaimed, “This is Mampuku Yokocho!” He grew excited, pretended to act out the scenes, and even finished his meal with delight. It was a heartwarming moment when the world of the picture book expanded into our daily life.

Reviews from Rakuten (JP), Amazon (JP), Ehon Navi, and Dokusho Meter (a Japanese book review community)

“Mampuku Yokocho” is a picture book that offers three layers of charm:

For children: an exciting treasure-hunt experience through a lively shopping street
For adults: nostalgic memories of traditional downtown alleyways
For parents and children together: conversations and real-life experiences sparked by shared reading

The book is especially praised for its intricate details, the bustling atmosphere of the market street, and its touch of tanuki-inspired fantasy. It works wonderfully as a read-aloud, but also as a book for children to quietly pore over on their own.

Rakuten Reviews

Overall rating is a modest 3.67, but individual reviews are highly positive
- “The lively downtown atmosphere is vividly illustrated, and even adults can enjoy it.”
Enjoyable even during the COVID-19 lockdown
- “You can feel the bustle of a shopping street through the picture book, even when you can’t go out.”
Fun for parents and children from as young as age two
- “Just looking at the pictures is enjoyable, and it naturally sparks conversation.”

Amazon Reviews

Many real-life stories of children being captivated
- “My 6-year-old son was absorbed as if it were a wonderland.”
- “We gave it as a reward for working hard at swimming lessons.”
Nostalgic for adults, adventurous for children
- Highly rated as a picture book that parents and children can enjoy reading together again and again.
Praised for detailed illustrations and surprises
- “The map on the endpapers, the surprise of the tanuki statue, and the feeling of strolling through a market street are all delightful.”

Ehon Navi Reviews

Impressed by the intricate details
- “So many authentic shops are depicted.”
- “Even the kitchen scenes are illustrated.”
Fantasy elements are also popular
- “The tanuki deity and the lottery (fuku-biki) make for fun, surprising twists.”
Enjoyable for both adults and children
- “It resembles the arcade in Kichijoji.”
- “A blend of Showa-era nostalgia with Heisei-era research is fascinating.”

Dokusho Meter (a Japanese book review community) Reviews

Many comments about the real shopping streets that inspired the book
- “It seems to be modeled after Harmonica Yokocho in Kichijoji and the Nakamise Shopping Street in Katsushika Tateishi.”
Children love the detailed drawings and the ‘map’
- “The alley map on the inside cover.”
- “My child carefully studies the showcase at the sweet shop.”
More of a ‘looking’ book than a typical read-aloud
- “Kids enjoy searching for secrets.”
- “They often focus more on the illustrations than the storyline.”
A catalyst for parent-child conversations
- “My child asked, ‘What’s imogara?’”
- “We got excited talking about old-fashioned snacks from the dagashi shop.”

Recommended Situations

To build excitement before visiting a shopping street or market
- Reading this book in advance sparks imagination: “What kind of shops will we see? Will there be a tanuki?” The real-life outing becomes even more enjoyable.
To make mealtime or snack time more fun
- The pages are filled with dumplings, yakitori, oden, and more. Talking at the table—“Which one do you like best?”—can help even picky eaters take interest in food.
For reading together with grandparents
- The main characters are a grandparent and grandchild, making this book perfect for sharing with grandparents. Parents will also feel nostalgic about the setting.
For children who love picture-hunting
- The shops are packed with small items and lively details, making it a guaranteed hit for kids who enjoy spotting hidden things.
For rainy days at home
- Even if you can’t go outside, opening this book brings the feeling of strolling through Mampuku Yokocho. Parent and child alike can enjoy the satisfaction of a little “trip” indoors.