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In an earlier article, we briefly explained about the traditional shopping streets, or SHOTEN-GAI (商店街), which are located around Yokosuka City. One old and famous SHOTEN-GAI is located only about a five-minute walk from Yokosuka U.S. Navy Base, and is called "MIKASA DORI" -- (MIKASA is the name of a famous Japanese battleship, which is preserved as a museum in a nearby park.) MIKASA DORI is actually a long (180 meters) and narrow four-story building, with the first floor being a pedestrian-only shopping street. When it was built, back in November 1959, it was considered an advanced and unique architectural structure. There are around 70 retail businesses located inside MIKASA DORI, and the variety is amazing, with eateries, fish and vegetable markets, drug stores, 100-yen stores, barber, watch repair, internet café, cell phone shops, etc. Some of the specialty stores have been in business continually since MIKASA DORI was built, and they add to the "retro" feel of the place. Since the shops are lined-up long the street inside the building, customers are always protected from bad weather. Of note, MIKASA DORI recently added free WIFI service, so you can stay connected. In future articles we will take a closer look at some of the interesting stores and other characteristics of MIKASA DORI, and hope you will enjoy going there.

written by Goodfield