Nanowire arrays of various metals were fabricated from the template of porous alumina. We observed the strong surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) signals of the adsorbed molecules such as pyridine not only at the noble metals nanowires that exhibit a high SERS activity, but also at Ni, Co nanowires that are normally considered to be non SERS active substrates. The intensity of the species adsorbed at Ni nanowires is stronger than that on the conventionally roughened metal surface, and depends on the length of the nanowires out of alumina matrix. The metal nanowire arrays can be used as SERS active substrates. Nanowire arrays of various metals were fabricated from the template of porous alumina. We observed the strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals of the adsorbed molecules such as pyridine not only at the noble metals nanowires that exhibit a high SERS activity, but also at The intensity of the species is adsorbed at Ni nanowires is stronger than that on the conventionally roughened metal surface, and depends on the length of the nanowires out of alumina matrix. The metal nanowire arrays can be used as SERS active substrates.