Asakusa & Nakamise Shopping Street is a 300m approach to Sensoji temple, and is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. The arcade dates back to the late 17th century, when local people were granted the special right to open shops along the approach to the temple. Their shop sold toys, sweets, snacks and souvenirs. The shopping street was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and also in the ire raids of 1945. Today's shops sell traditional knickknacks, rice crackers, and festival foods.