VIDEO: Nihonbashi – Bridge over traditional and modern charms of Tokyo

Nihonbashi Bridge (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

In the center of the capital city, Nihonbashi is a Tokyo district where traditional and modern Japanese values coexist.

The unique district is a short 20-minute train ride from Hardy Barracks.

The iconic Nihonbashi Bridge, which the district is named after, has been the zero-kilometer marker for Japan’s national highway network since the Edo Era (1603-1867). When you see a signboard of “xx kilometers to Tokyo” along any highway or expressway, Tokyo means where the Nihonbashi Bridge is located.

Nihonbashi Bridge (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

The bridge over the Nihonbashi River was originally built as an arched wooden bridge in 1603. Today, you can check out its half-size replica at the International Terminal (Terminal 3) of Haneda Airport. The bridge was repeatedly demolished and reconstructed throughout the years. The current dual-arch bridge (built in 1911) is its 20th rendition.

One thing I don’t like about the view with the bridge is that an expressway line overpasses it, spoiling the townscape of the district.

The overpassing Shuto-ko Expressway line was constructed in preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. With petitions by locals to move the expressway underground, the government decided to relocate 1.8 kilometers of the line underground by 2040, according to the Metropolitan Expressway Company. I’m looking forward to seeing the majestic traditional bridge without the overpassing expressway.

Being close to the Edo Castle (now known as the Imperial Palace), the Nihonbashi district has enjoyed great commercial prosperity over the centuries, and the area has flourished with bustling shops, countless merchants and craftsmen from across the country.

A shop displaying Japanese traditional picture, lanterns, fox mask, and daruma mask

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

A shop displaying Japanese traditional picture and lanterns.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

You can discover centuries-old businesses still operating in the district – look for the shops with colorful curtains - along with multiple elegant skyscrapers nestled up against old-fashioned alleyways.

Nestled amongst the historical Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya department stores, Coredo Nihonbashi is a five-story shopping mall that features 50 shops and restaurants in a modern, yet traditional-looking building where you can see traditional crafts or local foods, such as lacquerware, gold leaf, knives, chopsticks, sake, tea, seaweed and wagashi sweets.

Mitsukoshi Department Store (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Drop by Bank of Japan’s Currency Museum nearby, as you can check out the history of Japanese currency with plenty of interesting historical coins and bills on display.

Bank of Japan (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Fukutoku Jinja, also known as Mebuki Inari, is a Shinto shrine in the district that offers a nice photo op amid the modern skyscrapers in the district. The shrine is known as a power spot for good fortune, particularly regarding wealth and lottery luck, since it was one of the few authorized venues for selling “tomi-kūji” (lottery tickets) in Edo Era. Why not visit this shrine and make a wish when you are going to buy a jumbo lottery ticket?