If you had to mark the heart of Tokyo—and by extension, the heart of Japan—a strong case could be made for Nihombashi (日本橋). In 1601, the Tokugawa Shogunate began the construction of the Five Routes (Gokaido), a massive network of highways designed to connect the capital with the outer provinces. Nihombashi was designated as the starting point for all five routes, making it the literal point from which all distances in Japan were measured. This intersection of travelers and merchants transformed the area into a thriving commercial powerhouse that has retained its prestige for over four centuries.
The Bridge and the Zero Milestone
The name “Nihombashi” translates literally to “Japan Bridge.” While previous wooden incarnations were frequently lost to the “flowers of Edo” (the fires that plagued the city), the current twin-arched stone structure has stood since 1911. Miraculously surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake and the air raids of WWII, the bridge is a masterpiece of Meiji-era design, featuring bronze statues of Kirin (mythical winged creatures) that symbolize the prosperity of the city and lions modeled after those in Trafalgar Square.
In the center of the bridge, embedded in the roadway, is the Zero Milestone marker. Although the original plaque is located in a nearby monument plaza, this spot remains the official coordinate for measuring distances on Japanese road signs. For decades, the bridge’s beauty was obscured by a massive elevated expressway built for the 1964 Olympics, but a landmark civil engineering project is currently underway to move the highway underground and finally return a “view of the sky” to the bridge.
A Legacy of Retail: From Kimonos to Coredo
Nihombashi is home to Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Japan’s oldest and most prestigious department store. Originally founded as a kimono shop in 1673, it became the country’s first “department store” in 1904. A visit to the main building is like stepping back in time; the entrance is guarded by two bronze lions, and the interior features a stunning central atrium with a massive statue of the Goddess of Sincerity and a working pipe organ that performs recitals on weekends.
Complementing this grand history is the Coredo Muromachi complex. This series of modern buildings is designed to evoke the atmosphere of an Edo-period merchant street. It houses many of Nihombashi’s legendary shops that have operated for hundreds of years, specializing in artisanal goods such as Ninben (dashi and bonito flakes), Eitaro Sohonpo (traditional confectionery), and Haibara (washi paper).
The Financial District
Nihombashi is also the traditional financial center of Japan. It is home to the Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko), housed in a magnificent Neo-Baroque building completed in 1896. From an aerial view, the building is famously shaped like the kanji character for “Yen” (円). Nearby, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the headquarters of major trading firms ensure that Nihombashi remains as vital to the nation’s economy today as it was during the time of the shoguns.
Logistics and Access
Nihombashi is located just a short walk north of Tokyo Station and east of the Imperial Palace. It is exceptionally well-connected by the Tokyo Metro system, making it an easy addition to any central Tokyo itinerary.
| Station | Lines | Best For… |
|---|---|---|
| Nihombashi | Ginza, Tozai, Asakusa Lines | The Bridge, Mitsukoshi, Coredo |
| Mitsukoshimae | Ginza, Hanzomon Lines | Bank of Japan, Coredo Muromachi |
| Tokyo Station | JR Lines, Shinkansen | 10-minute walk to the South Area |
For those interested in seeing how the bridge originally looked before its stone reconstruction, a full-scale wooden replica of the Edo-period Nihombashi can be found at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku.
