Region
Kyushu
Island
Kyushu
Largest City
Nagasaki
Population
1,516,536

Hamanomachi Arcade

Nagasaki’s shopping maze.

If you’re on the hunt for omiyage (souvenirs) for family back home or a bite to eat while in Nagasaki (or both), you’ll want to check out Nagasaki city’s most well known shopping scene – Hamanomachi.

Although sometimes referred to as a shopping street, the arcade sprawls over several blocks.

Boasting over 700 shops, you’re sure to find something that strikes your fancy. While Hamanomachi has a growing number of domestic and foreign name brand shops, like Mister Donut and Starbucks, it maintains several old-fashioned mom-and-pop establishments like boutique cafes and antiques sellers.

Lanterns hanging inside a shopping arcade.

Hamanomachi arcade is used for events through the year, including the Nagasaki Lantern Festival. Photo by Marufish.

The roof-covered arcade, called “Hamanmachi” in the local dialect, is an ideal place to spend a few hours or even the entire day if the weather outside is less than stellar.

A restaurant there that’s on many a Nagasaki checklist is Café Olympic, an eatery in the heart of the arcade which tempts patrons to consume one of its towering parfaits. They’re available in several different flavors and soar in heights from 50 cm to 120 cm, with the latter being called the “Dream of Nagasaki.” A popular spot for groups, be prepared to wait a spell in the snug stairwell that leads up to this second floor establishment during peak meal hours. It’s open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day.

For anime lovers, the arcade is home to Nagasaki city’s own Animate. While smaller than most Animate shops, it offers a decent sampling of popular manga, character goods, CDs, and DVDs. Tucked on a second story, it is accessible by escalator or elevator and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s located near the entrance leading to Nishi-Hamanomachi tram stop.

Nagasaki, Japan - November 14 2013: Wide variety of fortune cookies to religious charms vending machines located near Kofukuji Temple

Pick up a fortune from a vending machine in the area surrounding Hamanomachi.

If needing a respite from the crowds, you can crash for a few hours at the Internet café Cybac. Open 24-hours, Cybac has little cubicles of various comforts, from couches to padded floors, available for use. Additional services include a soda fountain, manga-lined bookshelves, and a shower (for an additional fee). Cybac is located in the southeastern stretch of Hamanomachi.

Several popular sites can be found a few blocks around Hamanomachi Arcade. To the northwest, there’s the Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge). To the northeast, there’s the Chinese temple Sofukuji. In the southwest, you can check out Nagasaki’s Chinatown.

Things To Know

Hours

While individual shops keep different hours, most are typically open from about 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Events

The arcade is used for several local events year-round. During the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, held around the Chinese New Year, the arcade hangs several lanterns overhead while displaying larger pieces recounting Chinese folklore on ground level.

How To Get There

Address

850-0853, Japan

By train

From the Nagasaki Ekimae Terminal, take Line 1 to #32 Nishihamanomachi. It takes about 15 minutes. There are several tram stops near the arcade, including the Kanko-dori and Shianbashi stops, also on Line 1. Tickets cost ¥120 adults/¥60 children (One-Day Passes are available for ¥500 adults/¥250 children).

By bus

From Nagasaki Ekimae Terminal, take the Ranran community bus to the Hamanomachi stop. The buses run every 15 to 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fares cost ¥100 (One-Day Passes available for ¥300).

By car

From JR Nagasaki Station, it takes about 10 minutes by car (taxis cost about ¥800 one way).

By foot

From the JR Nagasaki Station, it takes about 20 minutes on foot.


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