Nihonbashi, the commercial town that continues from the Edo period, is the starting point of “the Five Routes” connecting all over Japan. It is an attractive area with fusion of historical buildings and the latest commercial facilities.
Just walking Nihonbashi allows you to touch Japanese history, gourmet and culture one after another.
Although it is okay to walk, a free shuttle bus called “Metrolink Nihonbashi” allows you to go around this area efficiently.
Here I’ll introduce this bus and recommended spots nearby!
Now Let’s get on the bus！
There are several routes for Metrolink buses, and the “Metrolink Nihonbashi”, the one we take this time, runs through 14 stops including Yaesu, Kyobashi and Nihonbashi. This time, we get on at the stop “Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit” near the Tokyo Station.
The bus stop is in front of the Tekko Building and there is also a guide board which serves as a marker.
There are many people waiting for the arrival.
The bus arrived in few minutes. Since these buses arrives every 10 minutes, you can get on at your timing!
As I got on the bus, I noticed that there is no IC card reader.
Actually, these buses are free!
Convenient and reasonable!
In the bus, there are a lot of sightseeing facilities brochures and guidebooks around the Nihonbashi area.
One of them, the monthly freepaper “Nihonbashi Goyomi”, is very useful for going around Nihonbashi as various event information and maps appears on it.
Various people, such as shoppers, tourists and office workers use the bus. Nihonbashi is fairly nice place to walk around, but it is also very nice to take seat and look at the scenery through the bus window, especially on rainy days.
Information center that features “Modern Japan”
As I was watching the outside of the window, I found an interesting spot, so I got off at the stop “Kyobashi 2-chome”. This is “Kyobashi Edogrand”. It is a complex that fused the historical building called “Meijiya Kyobashi Building” with the latest building.
It has plenty of eating and drinking places, but this time I visited Tokyo Chuo City Tourist Information Center located on the first floor.
Japanese-style umbrella and bench are placed in a stylish manner at the entrance. Very cool!
In the facility is like a mixture of tradition and modern.
They have various kinds of brochures not only about Chuo-ku, but also about all around Tokyo or Japan.
It’s very useful for finding traveling sights!
Convenient for foreign travelers since several languages(English and Chinese) are available.
Chuo-ku Virtual Map – “OVERVIEW”
I found a huge, strange looking screen.
This is a map on which you can see the town from the different viewpoint from usual. For example, you can compare old map in Edo or Showa period with present aerial photographs by using a controller like a gamepad.
There is a device to search tourist spots and events on Chuo-ku, and other districts in Tokyo.
As expected, you can feel Japanese high-tech.
As I searched on the device, the Nihonbashi area seems to have many local specialty shops in the area.
After departing from here, I’d like to visit shops around here!
Here is a calligraphy experience corner.
Everyone writes any words as they want.
Why don’t you have a try?
And here is a kimono dressing experience corner.
You can choose the color pattern of the kimono.
No need of reservation. Just have a easy try!
Multilingual staffs welcome you anytime!
They kindly guide you for various questions such as “where to find a brochure” and “how to get to the tourist sights”.
There are screens at the top of the counter, on which event information and weather forecast are displayed.
Furthermore, the current locations of the Metrolink buses and the waiting time are displayed, so you can spend time efficiently while wating for the bus. Very convenient that they can tell the place in real time!
On the first floor there is an unattended Chuo-ku tourist information center’s break and PR space.
You can find sightseeing brochures here as well.
It’s very suitable for waiting for a bus since it is close to the bus stop. Convenient especially when it’s raining.
Here is the screen again, to inform the location of the buses.
Now the bus has arrived. Let’s get on and head to the next destination!
ADDRESS : B1F, Kyobashi Edogrand, 2-2-1, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
OPEN：9:00AM – 9:00PM (Open everyday unless the whole building is closed)
TEL：03-6262-6481
URL：https://centraltokyo-tourism.com/
Feel “charm and vitality” of Fukushima at Nihonbashi Fukushima-kan
Get off at the bus stop “JR Shin-Nihonbashi Station”. Just a short walk from here, there is “Nihonbashi Fukushima-kan MIDETTE”, a local specialty shop which introduces Fukushima Prefecture. Look at this nice, warm appearance!
Here, you can feel the current situation in Fukushima heading for reconstruction, through tourist information of the prefecture and efforts to ensure food safety and security.
In the store, there are various special products from Fukushima’s traditional crafts to alcohol.
Gentle tasted sweets made with plenty of butter and milk called “Mamadoru”, and rich tasted “Atsuage Soft Kamaboko” are the most popular items.
They have dining and drinking space in the inner part of the store. What is popular here is drinking comparison of Japanese sake. Here you can taste Fukushima’s special sake. If you find your favorite one, why don’t you buy it for a souvenir?
Address : 1F, Yanagiya Taiyo Bldg., 4-3-16, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
OPEN : Weekdays 11:00AM – 8:00PM,
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 11:00AM – 6:00PM
*From Dec. 1, 2017, opens at 10:30AM- on weekdays
TEL：03-6262-3977
A lot of events held at “Mie Terrace”
The next place I visited is Mie Terrace, a local specialty shop which introduces Mie. Let’s go through the goodwill and see what they have.
It is a space where you can experience “food”, “climate”, “history”, “tradition” and “culture” in the prefecture.
They have a shop on the first floor, which serves about 1,300 products!
The most popular ones are Blanca’s shell leines and baumkuchen.
As you probably know, Mie is famous for Matsuzaka beef. Roast of Matsuzaka beef is also very popular.
They have an event & lounge space on the second floor, where events featuring Mie are held regularly.
On the day of the interview, the friendship city exhibition between Tsu City of Mie and Kamifurano-cho of Hokkaido was held there.
This space can also be used as a rest area.
Address : 1F and 2F, YUITO ANNEX, 2-4-1, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
OPEN : Shop 10:00AM – 8:00PM, Restaurant 11:00AM – 11:00PM(last call: food 10:00PM, drink 10:30PM)
TEL：Shop：03-5542-1033 Restaurant：03-5542-1030 Event Space：03-5542-1035
URL：https://www.mieterrace.jp/
Find something hot in the district at “Nihonbashi Information Center”
Next place I visited is “Nihonbashi Information Center” in the basement of Coredo Muromachi 1.
As guidebooks about the district are available, you can find out how to enjoy Nihonbashi, including event information and festival information!
They have a cafe, as well, which serves food and drinks related to Nihonbashi.
Of course, they also have souvenirs. Nihonbashi Funasa’s furikake(seasonings to be sprinkled on cooked rice) and Mikado Coffee’s one-pack coffee are popular.
Among foreigners, Genji Monogatari Horii’s pouches are also popular. They are very capable for putting towels and toiletries in. Various colors and designs associated with Nihonbashi and Japan will make it difficult to choose which to buy!
Just like the Chuo City Tourist Information center, there are kind, multilingual staffs at the counter.
Some of the staffs dress up with beautiful kimono outfit. If you are unsure about the souvenir choice or your plan of sightseeing, please feel free to contact them!
just for your information, you can check the location of the Metrolink buses at the entrance of Coredo Muromachi.
Address : B1F, Coredo Muromachi1, 2-2-1, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
OPEN : 10:00AM – 9:00PM
TEL：03-3242-0010
URL：https://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/information_center/
Sento-kun welcomes you at “Nara Mahoroba-kan”
The last place I visited is “Nara Mahoroba-kan”, a local specialty shop of Nara.
I easily found the shop as soon as I moved from Coredo Muromachi toward Nihonbashi.
That is because Sento-kun welcomed me at the entrance of the shop.
Nara has many world heritage and national treasure.
In the shop are various kinds of brochures about the tourist spots in Nara.
Among the many Nara specialties lining up in the shop, “Inaka-age” and “Yamato-age” are popular for their crispy texture.
Yamato vegetables and other vegetables from Nara are also sold!
Next to the cashier are goods of local mascots in Nara such as well-known Sento-kun, lovely Shikamaro, and white-bodied Yukimaro.
Each mascot has its own character. Which one do you like the best?
Address : 1F, Nihonbashi-Muromachi 162 Bldg., 1-6-2, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
OPEN : 10:30AM – 7:00PM
TEL：03-3516-3933
URL：https://www.mahoroba-kan.jp/
How was it?
So far, I’ve introduced the free shuttle bus and the recommended spots around the route. How was it?
The Metrolink buses help you to go round the spots in Nihonbashi, and touch various cultures not only in Nihonbashi but also all around Japan.
Smartphone app is also available, that inform you the current location of the buses in real time. It is convenient to install in advance, so please install and utilize the app!
For iPhone
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/無料巡回バス/id687729554?mt=8
For Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.hinomaru.marunouchiviewer.android&hl=en
About Metrolink Nihonbashi：https://www.hinomaru.co.jp/metrolink/nihonbashi/index.html
Operation Time：10:00AM – 8:00PM(No operation on Jan. 1) Arrives every 10 minutes
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