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Historic street · Matsumoto, Nagano
Nakamachi Street
A street in central Matsumoto with merchant warehouses of white walls and black diamond-patterned lines, now occupied by craft shops, cafés and galleries. Nearby is the Nawate alley, along the Metoba River.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Nakamachi Street in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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Discover
About Nakamachi Street
Nakamachi Street runs parallel to the Metoba River, south of Matsumoto Castle, and was once a street of merchants selling sake, textiles and goods along the road that passed through the town. After major fires at the end of the 19th century, merchants rebuilt the storehouses in the kura style, with thick earthen walls coated in white plaster and covered by a diagonal grid of black tiles, the namako-kabe, which is fire-resistant.
Today dozens of these warehouses and old houses house craft shops, ceramics, Matsumoto wooden furniture, confectioners and cafés. The Nakamachi Kura no Kaikan, a former sake warehouse open to the public, shows the beam structure and the interior hall. The street is calm, with a wide sidewalk and little traffic.
On the other side of the river is Nawate Alley, with wooden stalls lined up at the water’s edge selling sweets, toys and souvenirs, near the small Yohashira shrine. The alley’s symbol is the frog, a reminder of the time when the river was clean enough for them to live there.
Nakamachi lies between the station and the castle and naturally falls on the walking route. The old Kaichi School, the first modern school designated a national treasure, is a few minutes north of the castle and completes the walk through the old town.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1–2 hours.
Best time
During the day, when the shops are open; many close in the early evening and some on fixed weekdays. The street looks pretty with light snow in winter.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Matsumoto Station, on the way to the castle.
Tip
Follow the route station, Nakamachi, Nawate, castle and Kaichi School, in that order. Look at the details of the namako-kabe walls and go into Nakamachi Kura no Kaikan to see the interior structure of a warehouse.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Nakamachi Street
What are the Nakamachi storehouses?
They are merchants’ kura warehouses, with thick earthen walls coated in white plaster and the diagonal grid of black tiles, built to resist fire after the late 19th-century fires.
What is Nawate Alley?
A narrow street along the Metoba River, on the other side of Nakamachi, with stalls selling sweets and souvenirs and the frog as its symbol.
Is the old Kaichi School near Nakamachi?
About a 15-minute walk, north of the castle. The 1876 pseudo-Western–style school is a national treasure and can be visited; check opening hours.
Do Nakamachi shops open at night?
Most close in the early evening. Some cafés and restaurants stay open later.
Beyond the guide
