Shikemichi developed as a merchant town under Nagoya Castle, and its name comes from the widening of the road to four ken (approximately 7m) after the great fire of 1700 to prevent the fire from spreading. Its unique landscape, with storehouses on stone walls to the east and townhouses to the west, was formed in the 18th century and is now designated as a Nagoya City Townscape Preservation District. Its downtown culture, including small rooftop shrines dedicated to roof gods, babysitting Jizo statues in the alleys, and Sengen Shrine at the southern end, is also a highlight.

Another attraction is the seamless access to Endoji Shopping Street. Dotted with restaurants and cafes renovated from traditional Japanese houses, Shikemichi Restaurant MATSUURA, a French restaurant renovated from a storehouse, and the popular townhouse cafe Café de SaRa, are attracting attention as food destinations. The streets, lined with white walls, black wooden fences, and stone walls, are perfect for snapping photos of traditional Japanese clothing and retro outfits.

The easiest route to take is the classic one, starting from Sengen Shrine to the north, admiring the storehouses, then taking photos along the Horikawa River before heading to Endoji Shopping Arcade. The area has many one-way streets and vehicular traffic, so please refrain from pulling over to the side of the road to take photos or taking up space in front of houses. This is an area where you can enjoy the historic townscape and the lively new shops at a leisurely pace.

[Helpful Points]
The preservation district is dotted with old streetscapes, and the entire area is not a particularly atmospheric street. There are also ordinary houses within the area. Therefore, it is best to plan your destination before visiting.