Shiomi Nawate Street

Shiomi Nawate is a historic street located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and has been designated as a Traditional Scenery Preservation District of Matsue. The street lies along the northern moat of Matsue Castle and has existed since the castle’s construction and the formation of the castle town during the Edo period. Stretching about 500 meters, it runs from the tea house Meimei-an to the former residence of Lafcadio Hearn, offering a charming route full of historical atmosphere.

The term nawate originally referred to a straight road extending like a rope. During the Edo period, this area was the residential quarter of mid-ranking samurai, with estates ranging from fifty to one thousand koku of stipend located on the north side of the street. Remnants such as samurai residences, white earthen walls, and nagaya gates can still be seen today. The street’s name derives from Shiomi Kohei, a senior retainer and town magistrate of the Matsue Domain, who once briefly resided here.

On the south side, old pine trees line the moat. According to tradition, these pines were planted at the time of the castle’s early development in the Edo period, and they still stand tall and green today. Together with the remains of samurai houses on the north side, they preserve the authentic atmosphere of the castle town. Along the way are cultural landmarks such as the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and Meimei-an, a tea house built by Matsudaira Harusato (Lord Fumai), the seventh lord of the Matsue Domain, which add to the cultural depth of the street.

Although Shiomi Nawate has been paved into a two-lane road in modern times, Matsue City undertook preservation efforts in the 1980s to maintain its historic landscape. These included placing utility lines underground and installing retro-style street lamps and traffic signals, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Recognized as one of the “100 Roads of Japan” and with its pine avenue selected as one of the “New 100 Scenic Roads of Japan,” Shiomi Nawate is a must-visit destination for visitors to Matsue who wish to experience the town’s castle-town charm and literary heritage.