Is it true that Otemachi 2-chome is more than just steel and glass? Otemachi 2-chome is a district in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It sits north of Tokyo Station and Marunouchi. East of it is the Imperial Palace. To its west lies Nihonbashi. Kanda is south of Otemachi 2-chome. This area was once the village of Shibazaki. It is the most ancient part of Tokyo.
Otemachi 2-chome is known as a hub for Japanese journalism. The main offices of three major newspapers are here. It is also a key financial center. Many large Japanese corporations have their headquarters here too. The Japan Postal Museum is also located in Otemachi 2-chome.
The Tokyo Fire Department has its headquarters in Otemachi 2-chome. The district’s name comes from the Otemon or Great Hand Gate of Edo Castle. During the Edo period, daimyos built grand homes here. One such residence belonged to daimyo Matsudaira Tadamasa. In 1657, the Great Fire of Meireki destroyed Otemachi. It was rebuilt smaller than before.
Daimyo families owned Otemachi until the Meiji period in the 1860s. Then, the government repossessed the area. They built government offices. Now, modern high-rise buildings dot the landscape. The government sold the land to private owners to generate revenue. The area was completely redeveloped.
Several businesses are based in Otemachi 2-chome. These include Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co and Daiwa Securities Group. The Development Bank of Japan and Japan Post are also here. So are Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Marubeni. Millea Holdings and Mitsubishi Estate Co have offices here. Mitsui & Co and Mitsui Life Insurance Co are present too. Mizuho Financial Group and Japan Finance Corporation are located here. Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Nippon Soda also have offices. Finally, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone and Nishimura & Asahi are based here.
The Japanese offices of Sullivan & Cromwell are in Otemachi 2-chome. Citibank and Cushman & Wakefield also have offices here.
Otemachi Station serves Otemachi 2-chome. It connects to the Chiyoda, Hanzomon, and Marunouchi Lines. The Toei Mita and Tozai Lines also stop here. Tokyo Station is nearby in Marunouchi. You can transfer between the two stations via underground passages.
Otemachi is the oldest business district near the Imperial Palace. Its postal code is 100-0004. Only the Imperial Residence and nearby areas have earlier codes. Otemachi was developed in the 16th century during the Edo period. Tokugawa Ieyasu built a palace here in 1590. He created living space for feudal lords. These mansions were replaced by government buildings after 1868.
You can enter the Imperial Palace from Otemon Gate twice a week. Many business people enjoy lunch picnics here. Otemachi is the starting and finishing point for the Hakone Ekiden relay race every New Year. The race spans 217 km from Otemachi to Hakone. It is sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun.
During lunchtime, food trucks gather in Otemachi. They offer international cuisine like Vietnamese banh mi. Singaporean chicken rice and Hawaiian loco moco are available. You can also find Spanish paella and Mexican tacos. Sushi Imayoshi in Otemachi serves Edomae sushi. This means nigiri sushi using fish from Tokyo Bay. Anago eel is a popular Edomae sushi dish. It is simmered in sweet sauce and served over rice.
Walking around Otemachi 2-chome gives you a glimpse into the life of a Japanese businessperson. The area’s history and modern business blend is unique.