Relax at the water's edge with sweets and tea, and conclude with souvenir shopping for Japanese handicrafts
About this spot
This waterfront commercial facility revitalizes the Goten-zeki, one of the "Five Yamagata Canals" established some 400 years ago to support life in the castle town. Along the stone-walled water channel stand buildings styled like traditional merchant townhouses with lattice facades, housing soba restaurants, Japanese tea cafes, and shops selling traditional Japanese crafts. Despite facing the busy Nanuka-machi Street, stepping inside reveals a different world where water sounds echo. Sit on bench-like spots along the waterside sipping tea and sweets while gazing at the gentle flow, and your feet's fatigue from a full day of walking melts away. In the evening as lights reflect on the water, the atmosphere becomes distinctly romantic. This is the ideal place to wind down together after your retro architecture walk, experiencing a water-side space quintessentially Yamagatan.
Tips
About a 5-minute walk from Bunshohkan along Nanuka-machi Street; buses from Yamagata Station are also available. Each shop has different business hours and closure days, so confirm in advance if you have a specific destination. Cafes can become crowded in the evening, so allow extra time for your tea break.
Best time to visit
Allow about 1 hour. The most atmospheric time is at dusk when lights begin to glow, making it perfect for your final tea time.
Access & map
〒990-0042 Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Nanuka-machi 2-7-6
Model course featuring this spot
Yamagata: Bunshohkan and Nanuka-machi Retro Architecture Walk
Yamagata
Explore features & model courses
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