9 April 2025
Is it really the longest?
Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street
Word has gotten around about my ability to collect statistics with my running watch. The Japanese Covered Shopping Street Distance Measuring and Associated Statistical Information Society contacted me and asked if I would be kind enough to measure what is claimed to be the longest covered shopping street in Japan, Tenjinbashi.
I agreed to interrupt my busy schedule of measuring uninteresting hiking trails as long as I received a generous per diem and could provide my information under strict terms of anonymity. They reluctantly agreed.
And so off I went on the subway, and soon after located the 'start' of the covered shopping street, what I found was shocking.
On my way to the street, I passed a concert venue, huge line, only females. Probably some Korean statutory rapist / wife beater appearing.
On my hunt for the start of the shopping street, I crossed this bridge and appreciated the sunset view.
Hmm, this is not what I call the start of the covered shopping street. It is uncovered. I will walk down it, but I will not start measuring.
OK, Tenjinbashi-1, start the watch!
Inside was mainly flags advertising the upcoming expo, I expect the Osaka mayor will end up in prison over its staging eventually.
I used my per diem to stop for dinner right at the start of my journey, I left my watch running while I ate, it probably added 10 metres onto the distance. The covered shopping street had hundreds of places to eat (not exaggerating).
Part 2 starts here, I allow a gap in the covering for main roads.
Time for part 3, I am standing under a large highway.
It got a little busier, but it was after 7pm, I think a lot of the non eating places closed at 7.
The next section got narrower. This kind of made it seem busier.
The final section widened up again.
Hmm, am I at the end already? I stopped the watch to check there was not more hiding somewhere over the road.
There was not, this is UNCOVERED, and so not counted.
So checking the watch, 1.84km! This is well short of the 2.6km claimed online to make it the longest covered shopping street in all of Japan.
Now, there is a competing claim, in Takamatsu, and as luck would have it, I will be in Takamatsu in November, where I shall repeat this ridiculous process. Until then, direct your fury about false Shotengai length claims to the Teninbashi-Suji Progress Association, fax number available on request.