Ise Kawasaki Townscape

Kawasaki is located just northeast of Ise Jingu and bolstered the town under the nickname “Ise’s Kitchen” with the many people who came along their visits to Ise during the Edo Period. The town stretches along the middle reaches of the Seta River that flows through Ise City and, despite a few spots that are undergoing renovation after water damage, you can still see a number of historic buildings that remain along its the streetscape today.

Here at Kawasaki Hondori Street, which runs parallel to the Seta River, you’ll find a number of storehouse and merchant houses with gabled roofs. Taking a stroll along a number of shops, cafes and spots selling Ise Udon along the main walk is especially fun. Kawasaki is a wonderful walking escape where you can enjoy the feel of its local, authentic roots that haven’t given way to gimmicky tourism.

The Ise Kawasaki merchant Hall, built between the Edo and Meiji Period’s is home to 7 storehouses and 2 houses that are open now to the public. In addition to a Japanese tearoom owned by one of the town’s acclaimed merchants, you can see a number of displays highlighting the site’s history as it was through tools and documents.

On the riverside of Ise Kawasaki Merchant Hall you’ll find an especially gorgeous, vintage area with waterfront stone walls, storehouses and more. Historically, both sides of the river were used as logistics ports for the storehouses but has since been redesigned so only this area remains.