Yakushi Ai Road Shopping Street

Baishoin Temple is known as the largest temple in Nakano Ward and is popularly known as 'Arai Yakushi'. The approach from Nakano Station to the temple gate has several shopping streets in front of the main gate, one of which is the Yakushi Ai Road shopping street. The name of the shopping street is derived from the fact that Arai Yakushi is beneficial for eye diseases and the word 'love', and it was named with the aim of becoming a shopping street that is loved by customers.

In addition to restaurants and drinking establishments, there are also specialty shops such as butcher shops, Japanese confectionery shops and kimono shops, as well as beauty salons, hospitals and public baths, about 120 shops are crammed together on the east, west, north and south sides. Some of the shops have been around since the Taisho and early Showa periods, giving the entire shopping street a retro atmosphere. The area has a sense of nostalgia as well as a freshness, and has many regular customers of all ages, as well as local customers and worshippers.

On days with an 8 (8th, 18th and 28th) when a fair is held at Arai Yakushi, each shop offers special deals on products and services as the '8 Days Special Sale'.