70124-0009 - Bashamichi

Bashamichi in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The road was built after a large fire had devastated the area in 1866. Because foreigners passed through in their carriages (basha), the street was called Bashamichi (Carriage Road).

The street featured many gift and souvenir shops, the owners of which planted pine and willow trees to beautify the street. These were the first road side trees planted in Japan.

Bashamichi had other firsts. In 1862, Japan’s first photo studio was opened here by Renjo Shimooka. In 1869, Fusazo Machida opened Japan’s first ice cream store here. And in 1872, Japan’s first gas lamps were installed on this street.

The large building in the back is the headquarters of the former Yokohama Shokin Bank (Specie Bank), constructed in 1904. It still exists and has been designated an important cultural property. It currently houses the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History, introducing Kanagawa’s culture and history.