■Chuo-dori Ave.
There is Chuo-dori Ave., running up to Kyo-bashi and Ginza region to the left. You will find Nihon-bashi Bridge on the right.
■Nihonbashi Takashimaya
This is 'Nihonbashi Takashimaya' that has been opened for 70 years. Rose is the symbol of the department store, and they explain about the symbol, while customers wait for the store to open in the morning. They have concierge at the Rose Desk, who is familiar both with the department store and the area around the store. The 70-year-old elevator with a safety gate, which is really rare in these days, still works fine today.
■DIC (Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Incorporated) COLOR SQUARE
This is 'DIC COLOR SQUARE,' located on the 1st floor of DIC Building. DIC COLOR SQUARE has been providing information on art colors since 2001 in an exhibition hall.
■Edo Hakari-za
There used to be 'Edo Hakari-za,' which was placed here to nationally standardize the scale in Edo Period until 1875.
■Yoshino-zushi Honten
This is an old standing Edo-mae-zushi restaurant, 'Yoshino-zushi, head restaurant.' They first started with a street stand in Nihonbashi neighbor, and they are also the origin of Edo style sushi. They recommend 'Gomoku-Chirashi.'
'We make efforts to provide delicious sushi for our customers. Please, visit us and try our sushi,' says the owner.
■Maruzen
This is 'Maruzen,' providing not only books but also stationeries and clothing. They opened the store in Nihonbashi in 1870. The store has been famous for selling foreign books. They were actually the first store to import books.
■Restaurant Maruzen
This is 'Restaurant Maruzen,' which is the rooftop restaurant of Maruzen Building. It has been opened for about 50 years. Customers make a long waiting line during lunch hours. This is 'Hayashi-rice,' which has their special demiglace sauce.
'We are looking forward to serving you. Please, try our dishes,' says the staff.
■Haibara
This is 'Haibara,' a well-established Japanese paper store with its 200-year tradition. They sell high-quality Japanese papers, 'Washi,' and the products made of Washi, such as letter sets and envelopes for ceremonial occasions.
'We have been providing the Washi products for 200 years. Please, come and feel the gentle texture of Washi, and experience the traditional culture,' says the owner.
■Kite Museum
This is 'Kite Museum,' located on the 5th floor of 'Taimei-ken,' a long-established restaurant. They put on display a variety of kites, including traditional Japanese kites and creative kites from all over the world.
'There are more than 3000 kites from all over the world put on display. Please, stop by and take a look at the collection. If you would like to make one, come visit us. We would love to help you,' says the director.
■Kihara-dana
There is an explanation board of 'Kihara-dana' at the entrance of 'Benkei,' a tempura restaurant. This area had prospered as 'Shokusho-jinmichi,' where there were a lot of restaurants.
■Benkei
'Benkei,' an old standing tempura restaurant, has been remained in Kihara-dana for more than 50 years. They recommend 'Benkei Teishoku.'
'I am the owner of Benkei. We have been serving tempura for 50 years, here. Office workers from the neighbors come during lunch hours, and especially foreign customers enjoy dinner at our restaurant,' says the owner.
■Toyo
This is a coffee shop, 'Toyo,' placed on the 1st floor of Toyo Building. The shop has an open atmosphere, as the wall of Chuo-dori Ave. side is fully transparent. You may relax and enjoy both their coffee and the city sights. This is the most popular 'Strawberry Mille-Feuille.'
'Welcome to Toyo,' says the staff.
■The monument of Minato-ya
There is a monument of 'Minato-ya' on Eitai-dori Ave., where Tamaki, the wife of a painter, Yumeji Takehisa, sold things related to Yumeji.
■Nishigashi Jizoson
Behind the monument of Minato-ya, there is a guardian deity of children, 'Nihonbashi Nishigashi Jizoson.' The Jizoson was enshrined here for about 300 years ago, and many geisha of Nihonbashi believed in the Jizoson.
■Itae Chakushoku Ochise-no Zugaku
Itae Chakushoku Ochise-no Zugaku is a treasure of temple of the Jizoson. Shotaro Hanayanagi dedicated the drawing of Ochise to the temple when he played the role of 'Ochise' in the play, 'Nihonbashi' at Meiji-za Theater in 1938.
■Eitaro Sohonpo
This is 'Eitaro main head store,' which is a long-established Japanese confectionery with a 150-year history. They offer Japanese sweets that are made in respect of the season and the well-known sweets in the country.
'These are our popular major products, ﾔUmeboshi Ameﾕ and ﾔKuro Ame.ﾕ Please, come by at our store,' says the manager.
■Eitaro Tearoom
'Eitaro Tearoom' has been placed in Eitaro main head store since 1947. You may have a relaxing teatime in a calm atmosphere here. This is a popular menu, 'Sekihan Bento,' and they also recommend this 'Ogura-Mitsumame.'
'We serve meals, desserts, drinks, and so on. Please, drop by. We are looking forward to serving you,' says the staff.
In addition, there is 'Eitaro Mini Gallery' at the entrance of the tearoom. There are valuable hanging scrolls, tea sets, and other things put on display. They change the display every month.
■Kuroe-ya
'Kuroe-ya,' providing famous lacquer work of the country, has upheld the tradition of lacquer craft for 300 years. They sell valued traditional crafts and also less expensive products for everyday use.
'We have lacquer ware crafted around the country. Please, come visit Kuroe-ya,' says the sub-owner.
■Nihonbashi Yurai-ki
There is 'Nihonbashi Yurai-ki,' which informs the origin of Nihon-bashi on the south side of Nihon-bashi Bridge. The official bulletin board, called 'Kosatsu-ba' used to stand at the same spot in Edo Era. The monument of Yurai-ki is shaped as the bulletin board was.
That is all for this monthﾕs feature, the south side of Nihon-bashi Bridge. Please, explore the area as your time allows, and find your own interest there. |
