Nawate Street

This shopping street is a 10-minute walk away from JR Matsumoto Station, and is lined with unique stores in the style of row houses. It begins on the bank of the Metoba River, and it was named “Nawate” because it was like “a bank as long as a rope (Nawa)”. It developed as an approach to the Yohashira Shrine built-in 1879, and since it is close to Matsumoto Castle, many tourists visit this area.

The 150-meter-long street with wooden stores has a nostalgic vibe to it, and makes you feel as if you have gone back in time to the Samurai era. The street is lined with old-fashioned hardware and tool stores, antique stores, candy stores, and stylish general stores, making it a perfect place for a stroll.

In the old days, there were many Kajika frogs in the Metoba River, which only live in clear waters, and the frogs have become a symbol of the street. There is “Frog Daimyojin (Great shining deity)” in the middle of the street, and some stone frog statues are all over the street. It would be fun to walk around looking for them.