Motomachi is located on the foot of Yamate Cliff along the Horikawa River. Motomachi is famous for its shopping streets of about 600 meters, which are lined with high-end shops of fancy clothes and imported products, and restaurants. It is said approximately 8 millions of visitors visit the streets a year. They come to the streets for shopping. Majority of visitors are female, needless to say. Across the river is Yokohama Chinatown.
Yokohama was a small village located in the area near Osanbashi Pier. When the village was chosen as a site for seaport in the 1850s , the villagers were forced to move to the area on the foot of Yamate Cliff.
The area was named “Motomachi”, which means original town, original of Yokohama because of the fact. It was convenient place to do shopping for both redidents of the hill and the settlement area. Streets of shops began to be formed on the town to provide goods and services to foreigners in Yamate and the foreign settlement.
The number of shoppers had gradually decreased after many businesses moved their offices to Tokyo and conculates were closed. After World War II, the U.S.forces occupied many of the central area of Yokohama. The streets were thrived with the American solders and their families until the 1960s as the streets were the only place they can purchase imported food products,imported clothes and furniture. Though the most of lands were returned to Japan by the mid 1970s and number of visitors declined temporarily, the streets have continued to be a magnet for adult women as the center of westernized excellent fashion.
Many of shops have long history of business on the streets and proud themselves on quality and excellent design of their products. On the main street, there are tailors, dressmaker’s, shoe stores, furniture shops, jeweler’s, accessories shops, brand shops, etc. There are two back streets, one on the hill side is Motomachi Naka Dori Street, another one on the canal side is Motomachi Kashi Dori Street. It has established its fame as high end shopping streets of 230 shops or restaurants with number of visitors exceeding more than 8millions a year now.
Twice a year, in February and September, a sale called “Charming Sale” is held. During the period, some of their products are sold 20 to 30% off the original prices. It is said about 600,000 visitors come during the period to get good buys.
Motomachi Swimming Pool
Motomachi Swimming Pool is an outdoor pool and opens from the second Saturday until the middle of September every year. The pool is located in Motomachi Park, where was the site a Frenchman A. Gerald’ ran a brick factory and Waterworks about 140 years ago. The site was near the Yamate bluff and a place fresh water wells out. He built storage tanks using bricks produced at his factory.
Motomachi Itsukushima Shrine
Motomachi is known for its fashionable shopping streets across the country. But only a few knows there is a Shinto shrine. That is Motomachi Itsukushima Shrine. It is located one street off the main street and enshrines goddesses and has been worshipped by people of Motomachi.
