Abstract
Although many bar alleys found in the commercial districts of Tokyo might seem crowded and dark, their small scale and intimate atmosphere facilitate informal public life. This paper identifies first a particular type of bar cluster as a morphological unit, coined here as “yokocho bar area”, characterized by the exclusive use of its buildings as bars and eateries, and the extreme smallness of its alleys and buildings. Secondly, it identifies the location patterns of these areas within the commercial districts. Finally, this study conducts a morphological taxonomy of 49 cases in Tokyo, based on the urban linkage to the surroundings and the internal street configuration. As a result eight main types were obtained, from simple linear cases linked to main streets, to networks of alleys hidden inside urban blocks.
