Here stands \u4e2d\u5c71\u6a4b. It whispers tales of Tokyo’s vibrant history and the district of Nihonbashi. Nihonbashi, the Bridge of Japan, lends its name to this energetic district. It marks the zero-mile point. All highway distances to the capital are measured from here.
Nihonbashi has been Tokyo’s historical and cultural center. It has been a center of commerce since the city’s founding. The area flourished after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate in 1603. He launched civil engineering projects including Nihonbashi bridge.
Originally, the Nihonbashi bridge was wooden. As Edo grew merchant shops thrived around it. Major finance insurance and industrial firms flourished too. Before Tsukiji, the riverbank was Edo’s bustling fish market. Today’s stone structure of Nihonbashi dates back to 1911. It was designed by Tsumaki Yorinaka.
Nihonbashi district was a major mercantile center during the Edo period. The Mitsui family significantly shaped its early development. They based their wholesaling business here. Mitsukoshi the first department store was developed here too. Yamamotoyama began as a tea house in 1690.
Nihonbashi later became Tokyo’s predominant financial district. The Nihonbashi bridge gained fame in the 17th century. It was the eastern terminus of the Nakasendō and the Tōkaidō. These roads connected Edo and Kyoto. Back then, it was known as Edobashi or Edo Bridge.
During the Meiji era, the wooden bridge was replaced. A larger stone bridge stands today. A replica of the old bridge is at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Highway signs show distances to Nihonbashi.
The area around the bridge burned during the March 9-10 1945 bombing of Tokyo. This was the single largest air raid in history. Scars from an incendiary bomb remain on the bridge. These are traces of the fire bombing that leveled most of Tokyo.
Nihonbashi was once a ward of Tokyo City. In 1947 it merged with Kyobashi. Together they formed the modern Chuo ward.
An expressway was built over the Nihonbashi bridge before the 1964 Summer Olympics. It obscured the classic view of Mount Fuji. Local citizens have petitioned the government to move this expressway underground. Construction started after the 2020 Summer Olympics. It is expected to finish in fiscal year 2041.
The Mitsui Group has deep roots in Nihonbashi. Mitsui Echigo-ya Gofukuten a kimono dealer started in Nihonbashi in 1673. The Mitsui Group launched the Nihonbashi Revitalization Plan. This project aims to revitalize the area. It creates new attractions. It preserves revives and creates the area.
Today you can explore modern towers of steel and glass. Within the COREDO Muromachi complex are some of Japan’s oldest businesses. Here you find lacquerware knives kimono sake and wagashi sweets.
Don’t forget to visit Yamamoto Noriten. It has been in business since 1849. They are pioneers of tasty seaweed snacks. These are flavored with soy sauce and mirin.
From its humble beginnings as a wooden bridge to its current stone structure \u4e2d\u5c71\u6a4b has witnessed centuries of change. It remains a vital symbol. It connects Tokyo’s past with its vibrant present.