Shikemichi Preserved Town District

Overview

Shikemichi Preserved Town District is a historic area located midway between Nagoya Castle and Nagoya Station, preserving the merchant streets that thrived during the Edo period. Following a great fire in 1700 (Genroku 13), the road width was widened to four ken (approximately 7 meters) for fire prevention and to facilitate the commercial activities of the former Ofunacho merchants, hence the name Shikemichi (four ken). Strolling through the charming streets lined with white-walled storehouses, you'll feel as though you've stepped back in time. Another highlight is the unique Owari region custom of "Yanegami," where shrines are enshrined on rooftops. Venture into the alleyways, and you'll find a Jizo statue protecting children, further enriching your sense of history and culture. Shikemichi was originally located on the west side of the Minoji, a road connecting Atsuta and Gifu, and was the second street west of the Horikawa River. The Owari clan encouraged the construction of storehouses on stone walls on the east side of the street to create a firebreak. This led to the formation of the street lined with storehouses. During the 1945 Great Air Raid on Nagoya, the Nagoyano district suffered relatively little damage, preserving many old townhouses and storehouses. While some were demolished post-war due to urban development, many white-walled storehouses and old townhouses with Yanegami shrines on their roofs remain to this day. Due to the preservation of this historic townscape, Shikemichi was designated a preserved town district by Nagoya City on June 10, 1986. Originally, it referred to the area west of the Horikawa River from Nakahashi Bridge to Gojo Bridge. However, Nagoya City expanded the designation to include the area from the Asama Shrine in the south to the entrance of the Entonji Shopping Arcade in the north. Therefore, the term now often encompasses the whole preserved area. It's frequently featured as part of walking tours in Nagoya, often in conjunction with the nearby Entonji Shopping Arcade. In 2007, "Nagoyoshima-shu" was formed to revitalize the Nagoyano area, and in 2009, the Nagoyano District Store Development Council (commonly known as Nagonodana Bank) was established to address the revitalization and vacant property issues in the Entonji Shopping Arcade and Shikemichi areas. Since then, many of the storehouses and old townhouses in Shikemichi have been renovated and are now used as cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a popular spot.