Gotenzeki in Nanokamachi, central Yamagata City, is a waterside space utilizing irrigation channels dating back to the Edo period. Its cool, murmuring stream and surrounding stylish cafes and restaurants make it the perfect relaxing spot for a girls’ trip.

This time, we introduce a summer girls’ trip exploring Goten-zeki, featuring photos of the cafes we actually visited and the scenery!

What kind of place is Gotenzeki? A healing space where history and modernity blend

Gotenzeki: A historic waterway with modern appeal. Here we introduce its origins and the process leading up to its redevelopment.

Gotenzeki, flowing through Nanokamachi in central Yamagata City, is a historic irrigation canal dating back to the early Edo period.
The founding lord of the Yamagata domain, Mogami Yoshiaki, prioritized the development of commerce and industry. He invited merchants from Omi and skilled artisans to develop the castle town, marking the beginning of merchant districts like present-day Nanokamachi and Honmachi. However, the Mamigasaki River, which flowed near the town, frequently flooded during heavy rains, hindering development. Consequently, Tadamasa Torii, who succeeded the Mogami family as feudal lord, undertook large-scale flood control works in 1624. He altered the river’s course and constructed the “Yamagata Five Weirs” (Goseki), a network of irrigation canals to distribute water to the castle, town, and surrounding farming villages. One of these five weirs, the “Goten Weir,” was developed as a crucial waterway to fill the moat of Yamagata Castle.
Later, as the town developed, it was covered over and buried underground.

Nanokamachi Area Redevelopment and Goten Dam

Once beloved as Tohoku’s first fashion building, “Seven Plaza” closed not merely due to aging, but because of seismic safety concerns—a major turning point. This marked the start of full-scale redevelopment focused on the city’s future.

The Birth and Role of Seven Plaza

Born in the 1950s, Seven Plaza captivated many as the most cutting-edge fashion building of its time. Located in Nanokamachi, often called Yamagata City’s Ginza 4-chome, it served as the heart of the city for many years.

A Turning Point Due to Seismic Issues

In 2014, shortly after acquisition, an assessment conducted under the revised Earthquake Resistance Improvement Promotion Act concluded that the building faced a high risk of collapse during a magnitude 6.5 to 7 earthquake.
This made continued operation difficult, forcing us to request the departure of approximately 30 tenants. Furthermore, to protect our employees’ livelihoods, we independently handled relocation arrangements and business transfers without relying on subsidies.

Movement Toward Urban Regeneration

While the closure accelerated the decline of the Nanokamachi area, the completion of the “Mizu no Machiya Nanokamachi Gotenzeki” on adjacent land in 2010 (Heisei 22) expanded possibilities for town development. Consequently, local stakeholders and landowners held repeated discussions, and a redevelopment plan began to take shape.

Forming a New Urban Landscape

In 2016, the “Nanokamachi 5th Block South Area Community Development Council” was established, marking the full-scale launch of redevelopment. The commercial building “Lulutas Nanokamachi” and the residential tower “DH Nanokamachi Tower” were completed on the former Seven Plaza site. Together with Gotenzeki and the Water Townhouses, they form a new Nanokamachi streetscape where history and modernity harmonize.

History Meets Modernity! Gotenzeki: charming Shops Line the Stone-Paved Waterway

Standing along the stone-lined waterway, Gotenzeki feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Here, eight shops line the street—from historic establishments like traditional kimono stores and soba restaurants to stylish designer boutiques, and cozy cafes and restaurants where you can relax.
Though diverse in genre and atmosphere, they form a surprisingly cohesive, tranquil space where simply strolling becomes a delightful experience.
Here, we introduce the charming shops lining both sides of the canal: “Mizunomachiya Nanokamachi Gotenzeki” and “Nanokamachi Lulutas.”

4 Cafes & Restaurants Worth Visiting at Nanokamachi Gotenzaki

When you’re tired from exploring Nanokamachi, taking a break for a meal or coffee at Gotenzeki is highly recommended. Here are 4 cafes and restaurants located at Gotenzeki.

“Renge-sō”

A casual spot to enjoy Japanese cuisine, regional dishes, and Yamagata sake.
Relocated from Honmachi to Nanokamachi Gotenzeki in 2024.

“Itsumono basho (The usual place)”

A well-known, long-established cafe restaurant.
Offers meals and cafe items (sweets), and serves alcohol in the evenings!

Classic Cafe

Enjoy meals, coffee, and wine in a charming warehouse with Taisho-era charm.
Their rich cheesecake is delicious too!

Soba Restaurant Shojiya

Yamagata is famous for its delicious soba noodles. Be sure to savor the taste of Yamagata.
A long-established shop with over 150 years of history, serving handmade soba and local sake.
It was featured on TBS’s “Banana Man’s Sekkaku Gourmet!!” before! This popular shop is known for its smooth, satisfying soba noodles!

【Gotenzaki in Nanokamachi】Shops Evoking Tradition and Beauty

Along Gotenzaki, you’ll find not only dining spots but also long-established kimono shops.
Opportunities to leisurely admire traditional Japanese clothing are rare in daily life. We recommend changing your pace during your travels and stopping by.

“Specialty Kimono Shop: Yukiya”

A specialty shop representing Nanokamachi, with 120 years of history, offering kimonos and Japanese accessories.
Beyond kimono sales, they also handle alterations, repairs, stain removal, accessory sales, and consultations!

【Nanokamachi Gotenzaki】Three Shops Adding Color to Daily Life

At Nanokamachi Gotenzaki, the town of waterfront merchant houses, you can explore not only restaurants and kimono shops but also stylish interior goods, daily necessities, and clothing accessories.

Iwami Ginzan Gunkaido

Nestled deep within Nanokamachi Gotenzaki, Iwami Ginzan Gunkaido is a healing warehouse shop offering indigo-dyed clothing, satoyama-inspired goods, and natural food and cosmetics. Centered around the theme of “rooted living,” its beautiful items—carefully curated for clothing, food, and shelter—gently enrich your daily life.

Ken Okuyama CASA

Produced by world-renowned designer Ken Okuyama, a native of Yamagata Prefecture who has designed Ferraris, this lifestyle shop blends Yamagata craftsmanship with stylish design. The standout item is the “MAYU” iron teapot, created in collaboration with Kikuchi Hojudo. Its gentle, cocoon-like form fits comfortably in your hand. Perfect for Japanese tea and coffee alike, it elevates your daily tea time into something special. Other offerings include cutlery and tableware.

Mire: Yonezawa Textiles and Casual Kimono Shop

Located in Nanokamachi Goten-zaki, Yamagata City, Mire is a select shop specializing in Yonezawa textiles and casual kimono from across Japan. They carry everything from bolts of fabric to accessories, and offer attentive tailoring and maintenance services.

OPENING July 2021! LULUTAS Nanokamachi: Where Yamagata’s  “DELICIOUS” gathers

Across the canal from the waterfront townhouses of Nanokamachi Gotenzaki lies LULUTAS Nanokamachi.
Here, greengrocers, butchers, and fishmongers line the street, offering delicious Yamagata ingredients alongside sweets and prepared dishes! The interior connects all shops seamlessly, creating an easy-to-navigate layout.

“Machinaka Oyaya”

A specialty produce shop staffed by an Advanced Pro Vegetable Sommelier. Enjoy fruit sandwiches, fresh juices, and in summer, shaved ice made from frozen fruit—their signature “Fruit-as-is Shaved Ice”.

Sato Beef Shop

Originally founded in Suwa-cho, Yamagata City in 1981. A specialty meat shop offering Yonezawa beef, Yamagata beef, various prepared dishes, and bento boxes.

Yoshinoya (Fresh Fish)

A long-established fishmonger founded in 1938. Provides high-quality, exceptionally fresh fish. They also offer sashimi, sushi, overnight-dried fish, and simmered fish dishes.

Enjoy Both Meals and Sweets♪ Lunch Time at “Itsumo no Tokoro” Nanokamachi Branch

“Itsumo no Tokoro” is a beloved Western-style restaurant and cafe in Yamagata City, cherished for many years.
Currently operating two locations, the Onome Branch and the Nanokamachi Branch, its appeal lies in offering a wide range of Western dishes, sweets, and alcoholic beverages.

The Appeal of Popular Menu Items

This day, I visited the Nanokamachi branch during lunchtime. The sign at the entrance featured the summer-limited “Cold Pasta,” which had a seasonal feel and immediately caught my eye.
After agonizing over the extensive menu, I chose the popular “Ladies Set.” This time, I went with the combination of 〈Tomato Pasta & Mini Mentaiko Mochi Gratin〉.

The tomato pasta has a pleasant acidity and refreshing taste, perfect for summer. The mini gratin contained mochi, and its chewy texture paired wonderfully with the rich mentaiko cream.
It was satisfyingly filling yet delicious right to the last bite!
It’s perfect not only for cafe time but also for a girls’ trip lunch.

Nanokamachi Gotenseki’s New Specialty! Cute and Refreshing “Gotenseki Soft (Cherry)”

After exploring several intriguing shops during my stroll through Nanokamachi, I stopped by Machinaka Oyoya inside Lulutas Nanokamachi for a quick break.
There, I encountered the striking Gotenzaki Soft —memorable both in appearance and taste.

A Refreshing Treat for the Senses

The fluffy milk soft swirled into a black bamboo charcoal cone was inspired by Gotenseki, the iconic canal symbolizing Nanokamachi. While strawberries topped it in spring, now (August), it featured perfectly frozen, plump cherries perched atop. One bite revealed the rich milk flavor perfectly complemented by the cherries’ refreshing tartness. Not just cute to look at, it tasted absolutely delicious too—the perfect treat for summer strolls through town. Of course, I made sure to take plenty of photos before eating! With the waterway’s gentle flow as a backdrop, it’s totally Instagram-worthy.

Goten-zeki Basic Information, Access & Parking

Parking Information

Since Nanokamachi Gotenzeki does not have its own parking lot, please use nearby parking facilities.

● Nearby Parking Lots
You can receive services at locations affiliated with the store.

• Echigoya Parking
• Needs Building Parking
• Times Hachimonjiya
• Kawai Parking
• Az Nanokamachi Parking Lot
• Yamagata City Central Parking Lot
• Repark Nanokamachi Odori Parking Lot

● ARC Nanokamachi Parking Plaza 2

● Times Nanokamachi Parking Plaza

Summary

Nanokamachi, home to the Gotenzeki, is a place you’ll find yourself drawn to. A special moment where healing and history intersect.
As you stroll through Nanokamachi, you’ll be tempted to stop by the “Gotenzeki.” Along the waterway, where the gentle murmur of flowing water echoes, tables and benches line the path, dotted with spots where you can pause and catch your breath during your walk.
Chat over a glass of fresh juice, snap photos in the shade of trees swaying in the breeze…

This place transforms even such simple moments into special, heartwarming experiences.
Listen to the pure sound of water and feel the charm of the historic Gotenzeki.
Here lies the perfect blend of “healing” and “charm” for summer in Yamagata and girls’ trips.