Nakamise Shopping Street is a famous shopping street in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is famous for being an old shopping arcade that stretches 250 meters towards Sensō-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
The street has a long history, with local merchants first allowed to sell goods in the area during the Edo period. Some of the shop families have been running their businesses for many generations, passing down traditional crafts and recipes.
The name "Nakamise" means "inside shops," and it comes from the vendors that used to line the temple approach. During busy hours, visitors stop on the street to enjoy traditional Japanese shopping and snacking.
Almost 90 shops line the street and visitors stop to sample local delicacies like rice crackers, sweet bean cakes, and ningyo-yaki, which are small cakes mixed with sweet red bean paste.
There are also shops selling authentic Japanese goods like paper fans, kimono,s, and handcrafted items. Besides shopping, the street is a peaceful reminder of old Japan with its traditional architecture and design.
