Full of retro charm! I went to Nanakamachi Street, a little-known sightseeing course in Aizu!

When people say they go sightseeing in Aizu, they tend to focus on places like Tsuruga Castle and Nisshinkan, but don't forget Nanukamachi Street, which is located just outside the city center.

This is a retro road lined with Aizu's traditional shops.
The streets give you a Taisho Romantic feel, and you'll get excited just walking around.

During the Edo period, the main road leading to Nikko, Echigo, and Yonezawa ran through Nanokamachi Street, which served as the western gateway to the castle town and was lined with wholesalers, inns, and restaurants.
In the 1950s, it was the busiest downtown area in Aizu, but perhaps due to the changing times, it fell into disrepair.

However, Nanakamachi Street has actually been reborn as an indispensable spot for sightseeing in Aizu in recent years!

This time, we would like to introduce you to some retro and cute shops on Nanokamachi Street!

station cafe

This is an antenna shop located inside the station building of JR Nanakamachi Station.
In addition to a sales space selling specialties from the 17 municipalities in the Aizu region, there is also a cafe space where you can enjoy cold brewed coffee made with local sake brewing water and locally produced fruit juices, so it's a great place to visit before or after sightseeing on Nanokamachi Street. It's perfect for taking a breather after watching.

Local shipping is also available, which is great for those who don't want to add to their luggage or want to send a gift to someone far away.

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Kiriya Shiki

We are a paper box store that has been in business for over 100 years.
Originally, we made Aizu lacquerware and boxes for Japanese sweets, but in 2013 we started full-scale retail sales.

Their representative product is a tissue case that is a collaboration between a sturdy paper box and Aizu cotton.

It's hard to believe that it's made of paper, and it's amazing that it doesn't break even when Junichiro Susa, the craftsman and 9th generation owner of the company, rides on it.

"My tissue box is a tissue box that won't break even if a fat person gets on it."

Susa says with a smile.
Once you purchase it, why not try riding it once?

By the way, the glasses case I purchased is also stylish and recommended!

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momen silk

This is a shop that sells handmade products made using Aizu cotton.

The many products made from colorful cotton cloth are a wonderful example of the shop owner's taste.
It is said that there are many fans from outside the prefecture.

You can also purchase fabrics and scraps from the two major Aizu Momen brands, Yamada Momen Orimoto and Harayama Textile Factory, so if you're a fan of handicrafts, this is a must-see.

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Aizu Brand Hall

The Aizu Brand Museum is located just down the alley of Nanokamachi Street.

This is a select shop that carries a wide variety of food, manufacturing, art, and other items that are filled with the charms of Aizu, so if you're looking for a tasteful souvenir, this is the place to go.

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Aizu Shinsengumi Memorial Hall

This museum displays personal collections collected over many years by the director, who is a researcher of ancient firearms and an expert in the Inatomi style gunnery of the Aizu domain.

You can view many materials related to the Aizu clan and the Shinsengumi that were collected directly from descendants of the Aizu clan and old families in Aizu.

On the first floor of the building is a shop called ``Mukashiya,'' which sells antiques, and sells a variety of antiques, from authentic antiques to antique toys.

It's a must-see spot not only for history buffs and Shinsengumi enthusiasts, but also for antique lovers.

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Shirokiya Lacquerware Store

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This is a store with a history of 300 years.

We have been manufacturing and selling Aizu lacquerware since our founding, and have won awards at exhibitions not only in Japan but also in Western Europe.

Inside the store, you can actually hold the products in your hands, so you can choose what you like.

The three-story storehouse, built in 1912, is the first Western-style building in Aizu that incorporates the Renaissance style, so be sure to take a look when you visit.

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summary

We have introduced six spots so far on Nanokamachi Street, but there are many other shops lined up with a wide variety of shops such as picture candles, charcoal specialty shops, and sake breweries.

If you want to travel, we recommend leaving plenty of time so you can enjoy walking around the city at your leisure.