High school students bustle around us. We are standing before Tokyo Metropolitan Nihonbashi Senior High School. This school carries a name deeply intertwined with Tokyo’s history.
Tokyo Metropolitan Nihonbashi Senior High School is in Sumida. The school’s address is 1-28-21 Yotsugi, Sumida-ku. Its postal code is 131-0041. You can call them at +81-3-3617-1811. Their fax number is +81-3-3612-5396.
The high school’s name comes from the Nihonbashi area. Nihonbashi is a vital business district in Chuo, Tokyo. It has thrived since the 17th century. A bridge of the same name spans the Nihonbashi River. The first wooden bridge appeared in 1603. The current stone bridge dates to 1911. Tsumaki Yorinaka designed it.
Nihonbashi was Edo-Tokyo’s original downtown. It predates newer centers like Shinjuku and Shibuya. The Mitsui family significantly shaped Nihonbashi. They based their wholesaling business there. They also created Japan’s first department store, Mitsukoshi.
The Nihonbashi Bridge gained fame in the 17th century. It marked the eastern end of the Nakasendo and Tokaido roads. These roads connected Edo and Kyoto. Back then, people called it Edobashi or “Edo Bridge”. All distances to Tokyo are measured from this bridge.
During the Edo period, Nihonbashi was the starting point for five major routes. These routes provided access throughout ancient Japan. These routes included the Nakasendo, which connected Edo to Kyoto.
The area around the Nihonbashi bridge suffered greatly during the WWII bombing of Tokyo in March 1945. Scars from incendiary bombs remain on the stone. These are rare traces of the firebombing.
An expressway was built over the Nihonbashi bridge before the 1964 Summer Olympics. This obstructed the view of Mount Fuji. Locals have been pushing to move the expressway underground. Construction is underway. It should be completed by 2041.
Tokyo Metropolitan Nihonbashi Senior High School actively updates its website. As of February 21, 2025, they posted updates for prospective students. They also announced individual consultation sessions before entrance exams.
The school also organizes events. In January 2025, second-year students returned from a trip to Okinawa. In December 2024, first and third-year students attended a health lecture. The school connects with the local community too. In November 2024, the student council interacted with the Sumida Special Support School.
Tokyo Metropolitan Nihonbashi Senior High School stands as a testament to history. It embraces the future. Its students walk the same streets as merchants and travelers of old. They carry the spirit of Nihonbashi forward.