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Nakamise is one of the oldest shopping centers in Japan. Since Shogun Tokugawa
(Ieyasu) established Edo Shogunate, the population in Edo (old capital city, now
Tokyo) grew as well as visitors to Sensoji Temple.
In 1688 - 1735, those neighbors who performed receiving and serving visitors in
Sensoji Temple were given special right to open their shops in the approach to the
temple. This was said to be the beginning of Nakamise.
In Edo Era, 20 tea houses located between Dempoin and Niousan-side, were called
"Yakudana", and shops located near Kaminari-mon, were called "Hiramise", which
were selling toys, sweets, snacks, and souvenirs. The number of shops increased
and it became one of the best ordered temple towns in Japan.
In the political change of Meiji Restoration, lands belonged to temples were
confiscated by the new government, and Sensojiﾕs land became under the control of
Tokyo metropolitan government. The government made five parks and enacted laws
on the parks, depriving Nakamise merchants of their privilege to do business.
In May 1885, Tokyo metropolitan government ordered all Nakamise merchants to
leave and in December rebuilt Western-style brick shops ﾐ modern Nakamise was
born.
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