四間道
Shikemichi Townscape Preservation District
A beautifully preserved merchant street from the Edo period, lined with kura storehouses, white plaster facades, and quiet backstreets full of history.
Attractions
Historic District, Edo-period Architecture, Walking Route
MK Guide Recommends
Just west of central Nagoya lies one of the city’s most atmospheric heritage zones: the Shikemichi Townscape Preservation District. Originally laid out in the 1700s after a devastating fire, the name “Shikemichi” (literally “Four Ken Road”) refers to the unusually wide street designed to serve as a firebreak. Today, the area still maintains much of its original layout, complete with thick-walled kura (storehouses), lattice-fronted townhouses, and stone-paved alleys. Once a hub for wholesalers supplying nearby Nagoya Castle, Shikemichi now features a thoughtful mix of tea salons, gallery cafés, boutique shops, and cultural venues tucked into restored Edo buildings. It’s a peaceful place to explore on foot—less flashy than Kyoto but deeply evocative of merchant-era Japan. Especially beautiful at dusk, when lanterns flicker to life and history feels close at hand.
Facilities & Services
Edo-period merchant houses and storehouses
Boutique cafés and artisan shops
Historical signage and preservation area markers
Close to Endo-ji Shotengai and Kokusai Center Station
Occasional cultural events and exhibitions
Massimo Mariani
An elegant atrium café in east Nagoya serving Italian-inspired sweets, premium teas, and seasonal cakes in a bright, refined setting.
Nagoya City Agricultural Center
A peaceful urban farm providing hands-on agricultural activities, seasonal flower gardens, and close-up interactions with farm animals—popular for plum blossoms and family outings.
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
One of Japan’s largest zoo and botanical garden complexes, featuring animal encounters, seasonal plants, and panoramic city views from Higashiyama Sky Tower.
Shikemichi Townscape Preservation District
A beautifully preserved merchant street from the Edo period, lined with kura storehouses, white plaster facades, and quiet backstreets full of history.
Endo-ji Shotengai Shopping Street
A retro-chic covered arcade combining traditional merchant culture with indie cafés, artisan shops, and a slow, nostalgic pace.