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
Ristorante Est
A refined Italian restaurant in Meito Ward serving seasonal courses and carefully crafted dishes based on modern Italian cuisine.
Unagi Nishimoto
A long-standing unagi restaurant in Higashi Ward serving charcoal-grilled eel with traditional Nagoya flavors and a consistent, classic touch.
Yondaime Kikukawa Kakuozan
A refined unagi restaurant in Kakuozan serving premium charcoal-grilled eel prepared in the Nagoya style with consistent craftsmanship.
Nagoya Nogakudō Noh Theater
A dedicated Noh theater near Nagoya Castle showcasing classical performances, cultural events, and a close look at Japan’s oldest surviving performing art.
Hōsa
A quiet café inside the Nagoya Noh Theater that serves Japanese sweets, light meals, and tea in a calm, culturally rich environment.