Filled with retro charm! We visited Nanokamachi Street, a little-known tourist spot in Aizu!

When people talk about sightseeing in Aizu, they tend to focus on Tsuruga Castle and Nisshinkan, but we must not forget Nanokamachi Street, located just outside the city center

Here you'll find a retro street lined with traditional Aizu shops.
The streets, reminiscent of the Taisho era, are sure to excite you just by walking along them.

During the Edo period, Nanokamachi Street was a major thoroughfare on the roads leading to Nikko, Echigo, and Yonezawa, and served as the western gateway to the castle town, lined with wholesalers, inns, and restaurants.
In the 1950s, it was the most bustling commercial district in Aizu, but with the passage of time, it eventually fell into decline.

However, in recent years, Nanokamachi Street has been reborn as an essential spot for sightseeing in Aizu!

This time, we will introduce some of the cute, retro shops on Nanokamachi Street!

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Station Cafe

This is an antenna shop located inside the JR Nanukamachi Station building.
In addition to a sales area for specialty products from 17 cities and towns in the Aizu region, there is also a cafe space where you can enjoy cold-brew coffee made with water used to brew local sake and locally produced fruit juices, making it the perfect place to take a break before or after sightseeing along Nanukamachi Street.

They also offer local shipping, which is great for people who don't like carrying extra luggage or who want to send a gift to someone far away

Station Cafe <Information>

• Name: Station Cafe (Nanukamachi Station Cafe)
• Address: 5-1 Nanakamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0044
• Phone number: 0242-39-3880
• Official URL:Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Navi - Aizu Furusato Antenna Shop Station Cafe

Google Map

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Kiriya Shiki

We are a paper box manufacturer with over 100 years of history.
Originally, we manufactured boxes for packaging Aizu lacquerware and Japanese sweets, but we began full-scale retail sales in 2013.

Their signature product is a tissue case made from a sturdy paper box combined with Aizu cotton

It is so strong that it is hard to believe it is made of paper, and it is amazing that even Junichiro Susa, the craftsman and ninth generation head of the family, can stand on it without breaking

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

Ms. Suwa says with a smile, "
If you buy one, why not give it a try yourself!"

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

Kiriya Shiki Kogyo ＜Information＞

• Name: Kiriya Shiki Kogyo
• Address: 5-8 Nanakamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0044
• Phone number: 0242-22-0953
• Official URL:https://www.kiriyashiki.com/

Google Map

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Cotton thread

This is a shop selling handmade products made using Aizu cotton

The shop's products, made from a variety of colorful cotton fabrics, are wonderful and showcase the owner's excellent taste.
It is said that the shop has many fans from outside the prefecture.

You can also purchase bolts of fabric and scraps from Aizu cotton's two major brands, Yamada Cotton Weaving and Harayama Textile Factory, so this is a must-see for craft fans

Cotton thread <Information>

• Name: Momenshi
• Address: 3-31 Nanukamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0044
• Phone number: 0242-27-8663
• Official URL:https://momenito.shop/

Google Map

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Aizu Brand Hall

The Aizu Brand Hall is located just down an alley on Nanokamachi Street

This is a select shop that carries a wide variety of items that are packed with the charm of Aizu, including food, craftsmanship, and art, so if you're looking for a stylish souvenir, this is the place to go

Aizu Brand Hall <Information>

• Name: Aizu Brand Hall
• Address: 6-15 Nanakamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0044
• Phone number: 0242-25-4141
• Official URL:https://www.aizubrandhall.com/

Google Map

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Aizu Shinsengumi Memorial Museum

This museum exhibits the personal collection of the director, who is a researcher of antique firearms and an expert in the Inatomi school of Aizu domain gunnery, which he has amassed over many years

You can view a large number of materials related to the Aizu clan and the Shinsengumi, which have been 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" that sells a wide variety of antiques, from authentic antiques to antique toys

This is a must-see spot not only for history buffs and Shinsengumi enthusiasts, but also for antique lovers

Aizu Shinsengumi Memorial Museum <Information>

• Name: Aizu Shinsengumi Memorial Museum (Mukashiya)
• Address: 6-7 Nanakamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0044
• Phone number: 0242-22-3049
• Official URL:https://aizushinsengumi.jimdofree.com/

Google Map

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Shirokiya Lacquerware

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This is a historic store that has been in business for 300 years

Since its founding, the company has been manufacturing and selling Aizu lacquerware, and its quality is so great that it has won awards not only in Japan but also at exhibitions in Western Europe

You can actually touch and see the products in the store, so you can choose what you like

The three-story storehouse, built in the earthen storehouse style in 1914, was Aizu's first Western-style building, incorporating Renaissance elements, so be sure to check it out when you visit

Shirakiya Lacquerware Store<Information>

• Name: Shirokiya Lacquerware Store
• Address: 1-2-10 Omachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0042
• Phone number: 0242-22-0203
• Official URL:https://www.shirokiyashikkiten.com

Google Map

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summary

We have introduced six spots on Nanokamachi Street so far, but there is also a wide variety of other shops lined up, including a picture candle shop, a charcoal specialty shop, and a sake brewery

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

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