Nakamachi Komise Street

Nakamachi Komise Street is a sightseeing place at the center of Kuroishi city.
This street has kept its cohesive atmosphere since the feudal period and it is said to be a rare case around Japan. The wooden arcade called Gnagi-zukuri built by special technique is characteristic of the successive arcade. This technique is generated to be able to keep the walk under the heavy snow, which is used to be mainly seen along the sea side of Japan but Nakamachi Komise Street and a part of Niigata prefecture are the only place to keep this scenery. The arcade was designated as an important preservation district of historic buildings in 2005.

Sake breweries and an old residence of a rich merchant designated as a national important cultural property stood along the street. Tsugaru- komise station is a variety goods shop selling souvenirs and folk crafts, the Komise-live with free performance by Tsugaru-jamisen are held twice a day at the shop. It shouldn't be missed to see the performance of a specially rapid rhythm by Tsugaru-jamisen. The performances are held everyday between the end of April and the beginning of October (performed twice everyday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and performed on Saturday, Sunday, and the national holiday only between the middle of November and the middle of April).