UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

There are many museums with large collections of classic and modern art around Nihonbashi Station. Some of the especially popular museums include Artizon Museum, where you can experience art in a modern space; Mitsui Memorial Museum that collects outstanding Asian artworks; and the Currency Museum, where you can learn about the history of currencies and anti-counterfeiting technology. In addition to these, there are also niche museums, such as the Kite Museum which displays approximately 3,000 kites from countries all over the world, allowing you to enjoy Japan’s culture and art from different perspectives. These art museums are all located within walking distance from Nihonbashi Station, so we recommend visiting them while strolling through town.

Recently, there has been an increasing number of galleries that exhibit works of young contemporary artists. We recommend Parcel, where large spaces are used to exhibit dynamic works; BAF Studio Tokyo, which focuses on modern art and presents various artists; and Roonee 247 Fine Arts, where you can browse photographic works and rare art collections. At BnA_WALL, an unusual hotel that designs each room in collaboration with an artist, you can enjoy the works of young artists at the bar and lounge that is open to the public. Why not enjoy new surprises and discoveries while diving into the creativity-filled world of modern art?

Nihonbashi has continued to develop as the center of Japan’s economy since the Edo period. It has splendid Western architecture designated as National Important Cultural Properties dotted throughout the area. These famous architectural structures continue to gain popularity, as most of them were built more than 100 years ago, showing the prosperity of that era. Classic examples include the main building of the Bank of Japan Head Office (tours available with a reservation), which is the first national modern architectural structure designed by a Japanese architect. They also include Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, which has an 11m-high majestic celestial maiden statue soaring inside the building, and the Mitsui Main Building, which has eye-catching colonnades of the Corinthian order passing through it all the way to the third floor. All of these are located in the center of the Nihonbashi area. Their exterior alone is interesting enough to visit if you have some time on your hands.

Nihonbashi flourished as a castle town in the Edo period. It has many shrines that make for a fantastic shrine tour when strolling through town. It takes 20 minutes to go by foot from Fukutoku Shrine, which is a minute walk from Mitsukoshi station, then passing by Koami Shrine, which is famous as a spiritual spot that brings good luck, and finally arriving at Suginomori Shrine, where the deity of prosperity in business is enshrined. The highlight of Nihonbashi is its unique landscape of historic shrines standing in between modern buildings. If you carry a stamp book when visiting the shrines, you can get each shrine’s original black ink signature and stamp as proof that you visited.

Nihonbashi has been lined with wholesale drugstores since the Edo period, and many pharmaceutical companies are still located here, hence its nickname “the town of medicine.” The Medicine Museum near Mitsukoshimae Station is an interactive museum where you can learn about the history and mechanism of medicine in a game-like setting. (English guide available.) Take a tour around the exhibition corner for an hour or so, and try the “Get along with medicine” experience. (Currently, reservations only.)

Located near Mitsukoshimae Station, Ozu Washi is a long-standing washi specialty store established in 1653. In addition to offering handmade washi, they also have a wide variety of washi accessories. You can make washi upon prior reservation. You will be able to make original washi using the traditional method. The time you spend making crafts will surely be a memory you will treasure forever.

Nihonbashi is also the birthplace of Edo Kiriko glass. Established in 1946, Hanasho is an Edo Kiriko glass specialty store that has earned international acclaim. You can make Edo Kiriko glass in a workshop upon prior reservation (English support available). They also run a “Digital Detox program” to take you out of your everyday life and help you focus on your crafts. You won’t be able to experience this anywhere else!

Nihonbashi round-trip cruise is a classic Nihonbashi tourist attraction where you depart from and return to the foot of the Nihonbashi Bridge. Not only can you enjoy the cityscape of Tokyo and see many famous bridges, but you can also admire the night view of the city from Tokyo Bay. The variety of ship designs is one of the secrets to its popularity. The cruise ship can be reserved for a small number of people; make a reservation in advance, then head to the Nihonbashi Pier.

If you want to enjoy plays and musical productions both modern and traditional, we recommend the Meijiza Theater, easily accessible from Nihonbashi. On some days, they also have performances of traditional Japanese performing arts, such as Rakugo or Kabuki. Check their website for the performing schedule and buy your tickets in advance!

Nihonbashi developed as a castle town of the Edo Shogunate, giving birth to longstanding traditional shops and new commercial facilities, creating a city where tradition and innovation merge. In Nihonbashi, if you venture from the main streets into the back alleys, you'll find venerable establishments reflecting rich history and culture, with plenty of walking tours to explore the area.