Omoricho, Neighborhood in Oda, Shimane, Japan
Omoricho is a historic neighborhood in Oda, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, with a main street that runs alongside a small river. On both sides of this lane stand old wooden houses, storehouses, and shrine gates that give the area its distinctive look.
The neighborhood grew in the early 1500s alongside the opening of the Iwami Ginzan silver mine, which brought waves of officials, merchants, and craftspeople into the valley. For over 400 years the mine shaped the layout and social life of the settlement, leaving behind the street pattern and buildings that visitors still see today.
Every year, local festivals bring people into the streets of Omori, where traditional dances are performed and lanterns are hung along the old lanes. The neighborhood is also home to craftspeople who make the painted masks used in Iwami Kagura, a form of local theatrical performance combining music, dance, and storytelling.
The main street is largely free of traffic, which makes walking the most natural way to explore the area. Bicycles are available to rent locally for those who want to cover more ground, including the path toward the old mine workings.
All power and telephone lines in Omoricho run underground, so the streets have no poles or wires overhead at all. This gives the old lanes an unusually open look that sets them apart from most Japanese towns of similar size.
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