Let's venture into Nawate Street, marked by a frog sculpture near the site of the former Otemon Gate. This area was once an embankment surrounded by a complete moat and Metoba River. During the Edo period, it was a straight path on the embankment with no houses. The lively atmosphere we see today began in 1879 when Yohashira Shrine was established, and street vendors appeared during festivals. By 1915, a vegetable market started, and by the 1920s, permanent stalls lined the street, creating a bustling shrine town.

Today, the street is bustling with tourists and features a variety of shops including the century-old bakery "SWEET," eateries, frog-themed goods, toys, and antiques. The symbol of Nawate Street, the frog, comes from the Kajikagaeru frog that once lived in Metoba River, known for their beautiful croaking sound. These frogs only inhabit clean rivers, and although they have vanished over time, the Frog God was enshrined in 1972 in an effort to restore the beauty of the river and the street. The street has earned the nickname “Frog Town”.

Next, let’s visit Yohashira Shrine in the middle of Nawate Street. The stones from the Otemon Gate's stone wall were used to build the "Miyukibashi Bridge" at the entrance. While the gate itself seems to have vanished, traces of the Otemon Gate remain here.