Gondo Shopping Arcade, shotengai, is a covered pedestrian street in central Nagano City, Shotengai are traditional Japanese shopping streets, often covered, where small independent businesses line both sides of a pedestrian walkway. Developed around train stations, temples, or residential areas, they have long served as local commercial hubs.
What are ‘Shontengai”?
Unlike department stores or malls, shotengai focus on regular, repeated use shops often including grocers, fishmongers, tea sellers, barbers, tailors, and small eateries. For many residents, they are part of a weekly routine rather than a special outing. While their role has shifted in recent decades, shotengai remain closely tied to the character of their neighborhoods and reflect how commerce and community can function in the same space.
What’s on offer on Gondo Street?
The shopping arcade offers a variety of shops that range from clothing shops, modest eateries to places selling everyday goods. It remains informal and practical rather than polished or tourist-focused, and many businesses reflect the habits and preferences of local residents.
A significant landmark is the Nagano Aioiza Roxy, simply as Aioiza or Roxy. The theatre dates back to 1892, when it was first constructed as a playhouse called Chitoseza. By 1897, it had begun screening motion pictures, making it one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in Japan. Today, the Roxy continues to show a mix of mainstream and independent films. Its neon and old-school movie posters remain a familiar landmark within the arcade, and its presence adds a layer of history and local culture to the shopping street.
Finally, Akiba Shrine is located just off the Gondo area and is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the deity associated with wisdom, good fortune, and long life. The shrine is quiet, tucked into a small corner not far from the main arcade, offering a brief stop for those interested in local religious sites beyond the main temple grounds.
Nagano Central Square
The nearby square of Gondo Arcade gained wider attention during the 1998 Winter Olympics Game. This spot became Central Square, located near the main train station and Zenkoji Temple, served as the awards plaza for medal ceremonies during the Games. After the Olympics, the site was used as a parking lot and event space before being redeveloped into a public park in 2020. Central Square serves as a visible reminder of Nagano’s Olympic history and marks the transition from the shopping arcade to the surrounding cultural spaces.
For guests joining one of our tours and activities - including our Zenkoji Temple Town Walking Tour, your guide will wait for you at Nagano Central Square.
For more information about how to meet up with your guide, please see this article. We hope you enjoy your time in Nagano City!
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