Nihonbashi

Overview

Nihonbashi is Tokyo's historic commercial and financial heart — the bridge from which all distances in Japan are measured. Once the greatest merchant quarter in Edo, it is now experiencing a renaissance as heritage shops and modern developments coexist along streets lined with banks and department stores.

Highlights

• The Bridge: The original Nihonbashi (Japan Bridge) was first built in 1603. The current stone bridge (1911) still bears the bronze plaque marking the zero point for Japan's national highway system.
• Heritage Shops: Centuries-old businesses remain — Ninben (bonito flakes since 1699), Yamamoto Nori (seaweed since 1849), and Haibara (washi paper since 1806).
• COREDO Muromachi: A modern commercial complex that artfully blends contemporary retail with traditional Japanese craft shops and food vendors.

Visitor Tips

• Combine: Adjacent to Ginza and the Tokyo Station Marunouchi area — easily walkable.
• River Cruise: Seasonal boat tours depart from Nihonbashi bridge, cruising through the historic waterways.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.