Takada Castle Town Gangi Street
雁木通りJapan's longest traditionally constructed wooden arcaded street - benefiting from the knowledge of countless generations who have lived in snow country
A “gangi” refers to a traditional veranda or arcade-like construction in front of a house. Gangi streets were built based on the wisdom of the people who live in this snowy region of Japan and arcades that stretched out over the footpaths in front of the townhouses were designed to keep them free from snow during the winter. Although these traditional gangi arcades are now few in number, they used to be seen in cities all along the Sea of Japan coast. The Takada district has a gangi that today stretches in total for 16km, making it the longest one of its kind in Japan.
In the Takada district there many traditional machiya houses, which have narrow frontages, but stretch back a long way from the street. In the vicinity of Honmachi 6-chome, where Gangi Street is located, there are some old machiya that still retain traditional characteristics, such as the former Imai Dyeing Shop and the former Kanazu Kentaro Cooper Shop, as well as the Takada Komachi Machiya Exchange Hall, which serves as a central hub for walks around the town. Why not enjoy a walk along Gangi Street, with its atmosphere of an old castle town?
General Information
| Address | 新潟県上越市市街地一帯（特に大町通り、東本町通り、南本町通り） |
|---|---|
| Directions | 10 minutes on foot from Takada Station on the Echigo-Tokimeki Line 20 minutes by car from Joetsu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway 15 minutes by car from Joetsu-Takada Interchange on the Joshin'etsu Expressway |
| Car Park | Yes |
Contact
| Name | Joetsu City Cultural Promotion Section |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 025-520-5629 |
| Fax Number | 025-520-5853 |
| Website |
