The purpose of this study is to see the relationship between the design of Shoka which means merchant houses and the townscape of Mori-machi in the early Showa period (1926-1945). As a result, more than half of lots were formed large enough to provide space for several " Shoka". And each "Shoka" build on these lots had a large frontage which was normally divided into several shops. These merchant houses had a low storied facade at a front gate, and their roofs had hipped roof shape and had double hung windows in upper floor facades.