Imagine a time when waterways crisscrossed Tokyo. These waterways were vital arteries for commerce. We are standing in Nihonbashi Odenmacho. This area was once the heart of it all.
Nihonbashi Odenmacho boasts a rich history. It started as a merchant district around Edo Castle. The Nihonbashi Bridge was built in 1603. This bridge marked the start of the Gokaido. These were the Five Routes connecting Edo to the rest of Japan.
Nihonbashi flourished. It became a hub for economy, commerce, and finance. Logistics and entertainment thrived here. Streets bustled with imposing stores. Mitsui Echigo-ya Gofukuten was one such store. It later became Mitsukoshi. Shirokiya later became Tokyu Department Store.
The Nihonbashi Bridge wasn’t just a crossing. It was Japan’s zero-mile marker. It was used to calculate distances to other cities. Today, it still holds this function. It’s known as the Zero Milestone In Japan.
But there’s more to Nihonbashi than just the bridge. Tokyo was a city of water. Tokugawa Ieyasu’s shogunate built many canals. Today, most canals are gone. You can still take small cruise ships from Nihonbashi Bridge.
Nihonbashi faced challenges in modern times. The Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 caused severe damage. The fish market moved to Tsukiji. The Great Tokyo Air Raid in 1945 brought further destruction.
Despite these setbacks, Nihonbashi rebuilt itself. It became a major business district. It housed finance and office buildings. However, rapid economic growth brought a new challenge.
The Metropolitan Expressway was built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. It covered the sky above Nihonbashi. This damaged the charm of the city. It blocked the view of the iconic bridge.
In 1998, Tokyu Nihonbashi closed. This marked a decline in Nihonbashi’s commercial momentum. Residents felt a sense of crisis. They started the Nihonbashi Revitalization Plan. The aim was to restore the area’s prosperity.
Today, Nihonbashi is undergoing massive renovation. It started in 2020 and will continue until 2040. The goal is to reopen the sky above Nihonbashi Bridge. The aerial highway will be buried. This will give a boost to tourism and the environment.
Traces of the past remain. You can see authentic street lights around the bridge. Commemorative plaques stand at the foot of buildings. Bronze lion statues mark the entrance of Mitsukoshi Department Store. These were a gift from the British monarchy.
Recent projects have revitalized Nihonbashi. The Coredo Muromachi complex features modern shopping and dining. Its design is inspired by the Edo Period heritage. Shops specialize in traditional crafts and local foods.
So, as you stroll through Nihonbashi Odenmacho remember its journey. It transformed from a vital merchant hub to a modern business district. It faced disasters and rapid changes. Now, it is being reborn again.