[Film camera in hand] Strolling around "Nakamura Yukakusho". (Konica Big mini F version)

Hello. I'm Kanae, and I am a photographer. (Kanae Hori)​
I was thinking that I would like to do a second installment of the Camera Walk series, and then I received a request to take a camera walk in Nakamura Yugaku!
So, I would like to try the second installment of the camera walk, "Nakamura Yukaku"!

▼ Click here for the previous article

[Film camera in hand] Strolling along the Endoji shopping street, a nostalgic area of the Showa period. (QuickSnap edition)

Hello. I'm Kanae, a photographer. (Kanae Hori) I usually work at a web design company, and as a dedicated photographer, I mainly take photos for use on websites, but also for various media. I use a digital camera on a daily basis, but this time I use a photocopying...

2020.02.23

https://life-designs.jp

The camera I use this time is my favorite camera "Konica Big mini F" compact film camera!

Where is "Nakamura Yugaku" to begin with? I think some of you may be wondering. I am one of them.
I found that Nakamura Nisseki Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line is the nearest station. After leaving Nakamura Nisseki Station and walking for about 10 minutes, I saw an archway called "Daimon".

What kind of place is Nakamura Yukaku?

There used to be a number of "yukaku" (red light district) in Nagoya City. Among them, Nakamura Yukaku, located near Nagoya Station, is a former yukaku district that flourished from the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the early Showa era (1926-1989).
It is said to be one of the "three most famous yukakus in Japan," and at the time, Nakamura Yukaku was said to be the best yukaku in Japan, surpassing the Yoshiwara Yukaku in Edo (Tokyo).

The arch of this Daimon is also installed at the entrance to the old red-light district.

*Yoshiwara Yukaku
A red-light district that once existed in Edo as a red-light district officially recognized by the shogunate

The first stop was "Soba Itou," which was completely renovated and opened as a soba noodle restaurant.
At that time, the restaurant was called "Ushiwakaro" and used as a ryokan (Japanese-style inn) after it closed down.

In the center, there is a courtyard, a characteristic of a giro, where you can enjoy eating soba noodles while feeling the atmosphere of the old days.

The specialty is "Juwari Soba".
The set tempura was crispy and very delicious.

After eating the soba, I decided to stroll around.

The first one I found is Susanoo Shrine. This shrine, located in a corner of a yukaku, was built in 1774 near the current site of Chikusa ward Uchiyama, Nagoya City, and moved to the current location in 1933.

It is known to the locals as the god of business prosperity, and a rooster market, a rarity in Nagoya, is held there every year. I wonder how many yujo (prostitutes) visited this shrine.

As I continued walking, I found a former high-class giro (brothel), "Old Matsuoka Ryokan"! .
After the red-light district was abolished, it was used as an inn, but now it is a day service center.

Many of the giros have now been demolished, so I think it's wonderful that these buildings still exist. It was a day service center that made me feel strange when I thought that there might be people who used to go to the brothels when they were young.

It was a very hot day, so I decided to take refuge in a coffee shop.
I will head to the recommended "Cafe Robin".

However, it was closed...
I went to "Cafe Tomita" which was recommended to me.

But to my surprise, this place was closed, too...
I had my camera break down at a soba noodle shop that day, and I was exhausted after a series of unlucky events. Then, I saw "Aroma".

The tiles and lattice glass at the entrance are cute!
And the revolving light on the signboard is spinning! 
So I immediately entered there.

I ordered my favorite cream soda and cooled off while watching Mito Komon on TV.

Sweat having receded, I decided to walk some more.

Here and there, there are places densely packed with izakaya and bars that seem to still be in business today.
I love places with a unique atmosphere like this.

Next, take the bus to the recommended Japanese sweets shop.
In front of the bus stop, there was another arcade that caught my attention. I couldn't help and return to take some pictures.

I was also curious about the yakitori shop next to the bus stop.

From the Daimon-dori bus stop, I took a bus to Inabaji Park and went to Ryoshimaya Koreaki.

I was little bit nervous to enter, but when I approached to see the noren inside, the chime rang and the owner came out from the back.

About 5 types of showcases are displayed, and they explain each one.

I bought two of them with a smile on my face as I listened to the owner's explanation.
I went home and enjoyed them.

After buying Japanese sweets, I decided to walk to Nakamura Koen Station on my way home.

The walk ended this time with a look at the large torii gate.

Nakamura Yukaku walk was full of firsts for me. I was surprised to discover such a deep place in Nagoya!

Please take a walk around Nakamura Yukaku! You may discover something new about the town.