4.1.5 Himeji Miyuki-dori Shopping Street#

Japanese shopping streets (Shotengai) are often full of surprises. Not only are they lined with a multitude of shops, but their street decorations often display distinctive ingenuity, making them well worth a visit.

After touring the Gokoku Shrine, we began our return journey to the train station and passed through the “Himeji Miyuki-dori Shopping Street.”

The variety of shops here is extensive, and the retro decorations add a unique flavor. But the most delightful surprise was the series of interesting “3D Trick Art” paintings drawn directly on the ground.

This art form, which utilizes optical illusions, has been popular in Japan for many years and has even been introduced to Hong Kong, so it isn’t exactly a novelty. However, the “quality” and “quantity” of the works on this street were impressive—finely crafted and densely distributed throughout the area, they transformed the ordinary pavement into a canvas full of interactive fun.