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Old Town & Historic District

Kurokabe Square

📍 12-38 Motohama-cho, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
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3.5/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan
Category
Old Town & Historic District
Duration
1-2 hours
Address
12-38 Motohama-cho, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
Coordinates
35.3805, 136.2661

Introduction

Kurokabe Square in Motohama-cho, Nagahama, Shiga, is a historic quarter grown around the former 130th National Bank branch built in 1900. The black-plastered Western-style hall, known as the 'black-wall bank', reopened in 1989 as a glass showcase (Kurokabe No.1 Hall, the Glass House), and some thirty Edo-to-Meiji buildings around it have been converted into glass studios, museums, galleries, cafes and shops — a glass-art district on the old Hokkoku Kaido drawing millions of visitors a year.

✨ Highlights

1
Black-wall bank
The 1900 former national bank hall.
2
Glass house
Kurokabe No.1 Hall's glassware from many countries.
3
Blowing workshops
Reservation-first glass-making courses.
4
Old buildings
Some thirty Edo-to-Meiji houses reborn as shops.
5
Hokkoku Kaido
A stroll along the old post road.
6
Nagahama Castle
Walkable chain with the castle and Hikiyama Museum.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：12-38 Motohama-cho, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
→Time needed：1-2 hours
→Opening Hours：Glass House 10:00-17:00 daily; other shops vary
→Transportation：5-min walk from JR Nagahama Sta.; ~10 min by car from Nagahama IC

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultFree

Free to browse; workshops charged separately

💡 Tips

• The quarter is free to browse; the Glass House runs 10:00-17:00 daily, other shops' rest days vary.
• Glass-blowing courses need booking — weekends fill early.
• A 5-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station; pair it with the castle for a half day.
• Old buildings have steps — mind strollers and wheelchairs.
• The Hikiyama Museum sits in the same block.
• Late afternoon light suits photographing the black walls and lanes.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Kurokabe Square?

Glass House 10:00-17:00 daily; other shops vary

How much is the admission for Kurokabe Square?

Adult: Free; Free to browse; workshops charged separately

Any practical tips for visiting Kurokabe Square?

The quarter is free to browse; the Glass House runs 10:00-17:00 daily, other shops' rest days vary. Glass-blowing courses need booking — weekends fill early.

How long should I spend at Kurokabe Square?

A typical visit takes 1-2 hours.