路 地 裏(ろじうら)

ろじうら

noun

back alley, backstreet

1. back alley, backstreet

A narrow street or alley behind or between buildings, often in older urban areas.

路地裏(ろじうら)に入(はい)る。

To go into a back alley.

路地裏(ろじうら)の居酒屋(いざかや)を見(み)つけた。

I found a pub in a back alley.

この町(まち)の路地裏(ろじうら)には昔(むかし)ながらの店(みせ)が並(なら)んでいる。

Old-fashioned shops line the back alleys of this town.

A compound of 路地(ろじ) (alley) + 裏(うら) (back, behind). Refers to narrow passages behind or between buildings in older urban areas.

CULTURAL NOTE:
Back alleys in Japanese cities often have a nostalgic atmosphere. Many hide small 居酒屋(いざかや) (pubs), 食堂(しょくどう) (eateries), and 個人(こじん)商店(しょうてん) (family shops) that are hard to find from main streets. "Hidden gem" restaurants in 路地裏(ろじうら) are a popular topic in food media.

RELATED TERMS:

路地(ろじ): alley, lane (without "back")
裏通(うらどお)り: back street (wider than a 路地(ろじ))
横丁(よこちょう): side street (often a shopping lane)

general

Added 2026.2.1 18:08 · Revised 2026.3.27 21:24

09000/09382_rojiura