Ise Kawasaki Merchant District
伊勢河崎
An Edo-period merchant street along the Seda River, with black-walled warehouses and machiya townhouses turned into cafés and general stores. It is within walking distance of Ise-shi Station.
Kawasaki lies north of Ise-shi Station along the Seda River. In the Edo period it was a wholesale merchant district that supplied visitors to Ise Grand Shrine, and it became known as “the kitchen of Ise.” Along the river you'll find warehouses and machiya townhouses with black cedar-board walls. Many have been converted into cafés, general stores, and secondhand bookshops. Compared with the approach to the Inner Shrine, it is less crowded and more relaxed. The Ise Kawasaki Merchant House is the former residence of the Ogawa family, a sake wholesaler in the Edo period. You can tour the merchant house and warehouse (about 350 yen, closed Tuesdays). Access: about 15 minutes' walk from Ise-shi Station. It can be combined with a visit to the Outer Shrine.
Opening hours
Open all day (Merchants' Hall 09:30–17:00; closed Tuesdays)
Nearby sights
- Jingu Chokokan Museum
- Ise Grand Shrine – Geku
- Sarutahiko Shrine
- Okage Yokocho & Oharai-machi
- Ise Grand Shrine – Naiku
- Ise Ninja Kingdom
- Meoto Iwa & Futami Okitama Shrine
- Ise Sea Paradise