Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise Shopping Street, the stone-paved path from Kaminarimon to Hozomon, is a must-pass route for worshippers visiting the Kannon statue, and is the famous “Nakamise” street. It is one of Tokyo’s most bustling shopping streets. Like many other commercial districts in Japan such as Dotonbori, the street is covered with a transparent roof spanning the entire block, shielding visitors from wind, rain, and sun.

The street is lined with 86 small shops, all adorned with vermilion-colored facades, selling items such as religious goods, Edo-period toys, dance costumes, sweets and snacks, as well as various local specialties. Many of these shops are said to be century-old establishments with long-standing reputations. Numerous stores here sell Asakusa’s famous “ningyo-yaki,” the area’s most renowned confectionery.