About
When you step away from the hustle and bustle of Yokohama, the "Noge Miyakobashi Shopping Street Building" quietly appears along the banks of the Ooka River. Its uniquely curved structure seems to defy the passage of time, conveying the atmosphere of the Showa era to the present day.
Built in 1964 on the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics to gather together the street stalls and food stands that once overflowed onto Noge Main Street, this building is a two-story steel-framed structure approximately 90 meters in length. The shops on the first floor face the street, while those on the second floor face the river, giving the building its distinctive facade with frontages on both sides. (bunka.go.jp)
Because of its shape, this shopping street is also called "Harmonica Alley," with about 60 small shops lined up close together. In the past, shoe stores, clothing shops, and electronics stores stood side by side, but over time, their appearance has changed, and now most are eateries that come alive every night. (hirameki.noge-printing.jp)
At dusk, the lights reflected on the river shimmer, and this place, which retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere, often appears as a location in movies and TV dramas. Its unique scenery and historical value were recognized, and in 2016 it was registered as a historic building by the city of Yokohama. (bunka.go.jp)
Inside the narrow shops, the distance between shopkeepers and customers, and between customers themselves, naturally shrinks, creating once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Even first-time visitors are sure to be touched by the warm smiles of regulars and the heartfelt dishes prepared by the shopkeepers.
Miyakobashi Shopping Street is not just a dining district. It is the very history of Yokohama, which has walked alongside postwar reconstruction, and it continues to radiate an irresistible charm that captivates people’s hearts. If you visit this place, you will surely experience a unique moment where the breath of the Showa era and the vibrancy of the present intersect.