Kurogane Plaza

Kurogane Plaza

Kurogane Plaza is located in Nagahama City on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is a bustling commercial district full of retro charm, where over 30 shops feature black architecture and specialize in glass-related items such as accessories, workshops, galleries, art museums, cafes, and restaurants — making it a quaint and atmospheric shopping street.

Centered around the former building of the 130th Bank's Nagahama Branch, Kurogane Plaza was redeveloped by transforming historical structures such as Edo-period shops into stores and art museums, creating a new tourist attraction. The second floor of the former 130th Bank Nagahama Branch features Western-style architecture with black-painted exterior walls, leading locals to call it the “Black Wall Bank” — from which Kurogane Plaza gets its name. The current 130th Bank Nagahama Branch is now known as Kurogane Building No. 1, where globally popular glass accessories and household goods are sold. Meanwhile, the Glass Craft Art Museum, renovated from an Edo-period shop, showcases glass artworks from ancient to modern times from around the world, offering visitors a fascinating experience.

In addition to Kurogane Building No. 1 and the Glass Craft Art Museum, the other shops at Kurogane Plaza are also quite unique, attracting approximately 3 million domestic and international visitors every year.

Kurokabe Square

Must-visit reason: The most distinctive commercial district in Nagahama City

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Japan[Japan]

Prefecture/State: Shiga Prefecture [Shiga Prefecture]

City: Nagahama [Nagahama]