- 6 Licensed Green Plate Companies for Private Tokyo Airport Transfers - 14 April 2026
- Hakone’s Venetian Glass Museum – The Biggest Surprise in Town - 19 March 2026
- How to Fill in Your Visit Japan Web Arrival Documents for Japan - 18 March 2026
This atmospheric shopping street was one of the favorite places I stumbled upon during my trip to Nagoya. It’s the perfect place for just wandering, but, there are a few sights not to miss – or that need a little bit more explanation. And here they are…
This mini guide starts at the river end of Endo-ji as that’s closest to where you arrive at the street if you’re following our two-day Nagoya itinerary and have seen the Shikemichi area first.
As I said in that, the charm of Endo-ji is just wandering around absorbing the calm atmosphere and old school vibes, so take things slow and see which of the faded old buildings, or, cool new coffee shops appeals to you most – but, in the middle of all that, keep an eye out for these sites.
1. The Roof
The first thing you notice when you enter Endo-ji is that it’s a covered shopping arcade – or shotengai – which is handy if it’s raining during your visit – or you’re here during Japan’s fierce summer. You’ll see a lot of roofs like this in Japanese shopping arcades – I love how they immediately give wherever you are a retro feel.
But that’s definitely added to by the feel of the shops around Endo-ji – here faded signs, and slightly flaky walls are all part of the atmosphere.
2. Watch Kabuki
If you’re here on a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you’ll also find the Kabuki Cafe Nagoya where you can watch a Kabuki play – Nagoya style.
They’ve taken the ancient art form and brought it up to modern times It’s in Japanese, but, they also do kabuki versions of plays you might already know the storylines for, like Macbeth, which could be a helpful introduction.
3. Go Souvenir Shopping
This is a local shopping area, so, you will find things like washing machine shops and supermarkets, but, it’s also a place where families have held shops through the generations and if some of those are open when you visit, take your time and you could find some unique – and very inexpensive souvenirs.
Look out for the Nodasen Japanese shoe shop where you can buy traditional Japanese sandals, the old sweet shops, particularly the one with the cute fruit-shaped snacks, and, the gift shop full of pretty much everything that also has some cute bowls. Other traditional shops to spot include the kimono maker.
There are also a lot of coffee shops and cafes down here – from new swish shops with freshly ground beans and designer interiors to old-fashioned kissaten. I could wander around here for ages taking it all in.
4. Papier Mache Figures.
Every July, Endo-ji holds a festival where giant papier mache figures are hung outside the shops with a prize for the best one and some of the shops have these stashed around rooftops and doorways the rest of the years – I’ve seen pink pigs and giant Hello Kitty heads in pictures while researching all of this.
If you’re in Nagoya at the end of July, you might want to check when the tabanata festival is on and go and see it.
5. Maruko
You might not think about going into a butcher’s shop on your holiday, but, Maruko is also known for its take out croquettes and other snacks. They’re cooked fresh so, if they’re open head in and get a snack.
6. See the Lantern Shrine
Konpira Shrine is located about halfway along the first part of the road. It honors three deities – Okuninushi, god of the land, Susanoo, the storm god and Kagutsuchi, the god of fire.
For most English speakers the main draw here will be the pretty line-up of red lanterns that surround this compact shrine. For Japanese speakers, there’s another interesting thing about this shrine though – the omikuji.
These paper fortune-telling slips can be bought in shrines all over Japan, but the ones here are written in a very distinctive style, considerably less formal than normal. Sadly, the subtle difference doesn’t communicate that well via Google Translate – but, if you see people laughing over their fortunes here, that’s why.
This is something you really notice when you arrive in Nagoya, especially after spending time in Tokyo. It is just a little less uptight – I saw more tattoos on people in two days in Nagoya than I did the whole time in Tokyo (well, except for that moment when I ended up in the middle of the yakuza float during the Sanja Matsuri parade, but that’s another story).
7. Chokyuzan Endoji
The street wouldn’t be here without this shrine as it started from stalls setting up in front of the shrine. Inside you’ll find some pretty bonsai trees and if you’re here on the 18th of the month, you can see a wooden statue of the goddess Kishi-Bojin. The wood this is made from came from the keep at Nagoya Castle.
The traditional kimono shop I mentioned is opposite the shrine.
8. The Four Statues
The first part of the shopping street ends at a crossroads with the busy Egawa Sen street – but, before you try and cross, take a look at the four corners of the intersection.
There are statues on each corner – three of these depict three of Japan’s most important rulers. The gold one is Oda Nobunaga. The silver one is his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (see more about him and his wife in our lucky statues trail in Kyoto). The bronze one is his successor Tokugawa Ieyasu.
So far, so sensible – but the fourth statue is the lead character in a Japanese period drama called Mito Komon. The character represented Ieyasu’s grandson, but why it’s his TV character immortalised here rather than his actual form I cannot tell you! The show was incredibly popular though and showed over 1000 episodes between 1969 to 2011.
9. The Kin Shachihoko
As we mentioned in our Nagoya itinerary, these are one of the symbols of Nagoya and you’ll see them all around the city.
They are models of the gold statues on the roof of Nagoya Castle. At first glance, it just looks like a gold fish, but, it’s not – its body may be that of a fish, but its head is actually that of a tiger.
The ones on top of Nagoya Castle are some of the most beautiful shachihoko in Japan, which is why they are now one of the city’s emblems. Each one is 2.6 metres long and weighs 1.2 tonnes.
Keep an eye out for ‘mini’ versions all over the city.
10. Make a Wish with a Stone
Wishing Stones are found at many shrines in Japan – including here, at the Takanomiya Shrine in Endo-ji.
To use it, you must lift the stone and judge its weight. Then, think of a wish that you have and tell yourself how much lighter your life would be if the wish came true. Lift the stone again. If the stone feels lighter the second time you lift it your wish will be granted – yay.
The main god enshrined at this temple is the god of longevity, so, that might also be a good thing to wish for here.
The shrine is hidden up an alley so look carefully for the entrance. It’s on the right-hand side a little past the shachihoko.
Finish your visit by following the road down the last junction at the main road – keep an eye out for the cute sweet shop on your left just before you reach the junction – this is the one with the fruit-shaped sweets.
From here, you can follow the rest of our itinerary by using the 14 bus to take you to Nagoya Castle, or,if you have other plans, head elsewhere in this fantastic city.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
The Four Generals
MORE TO COME
Check out the Fish
