QUICK GUIDE TO NIHONBASHI
Monday, 11 February 2013
I just found these photos I took in Nihonbashi a long while ago so I thought I'd do a quick guide to Nihonbashi, one of the main areas in central Tokyo that has deep historical background.
This is where all the merchants and artisans came from all over Japan to start businesses in the Edo period, Mitsukoshi's original business started here in 1673 and they opened their first department store in Japan here in Nihonbashi in the 1930s. Takashimaya opened their first store in Tokyo in this area too, both the Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya stores in Nihonbashi are considered really special today.
You can find numbers of lovely traditional shops in this area, all sorts of specialty stores that have been running businesses for 200 years or even longer (we call these stores "shinise" 老舗).
My favourite hoji-cha comes from MORINOEN of Nihonbashi and is a "shinise" tea store, it always smells so beautiful when you pass this store as they roast tea in there all the time! They have the best selection of Hoji-cha and you can try all the different types, if you go in summer time you can taste the delicious hoji-cha ice cream too!
A washi dealer HAIBARA is another of my recommendations in this area where you can find the most amazing selection of best quality washi papers and crafted washi items. I did a sponsor post for HAIBARA on my shop blog last year here)
Just about a few shops down from HAIBARA right behind TAKASHIMAYA there is this lovely restaurant called TAMAI, who specialises in anago (salt water eels) cuisine. If you love unagi, you will looooove this restaurant!
Last but not least, here is this incredible book store called MORIOKA SHOTEN in Kayabacho, which is about 10 minute walk from Nihonbashi. They sell vintage art books and also hosts some interesting exhibitions. I LOVE THIS STORE SO MUCH is about all I can say. (I wish I had taken some photos of this shop to show you!)
It's in this retro vintage building called Daini Inoue Building that has many interesting galleries and artists studios as tenants. (I think this would be much more like Nicholas Building of Melbourne which I learned about from lovely Michelle who came to visit my shop the other day!)
Doing this post made me want to go to Nihonbashi area right now so badly! I hope to go back soon. I must!
MORINOEN (Tea Store)
2-4-9 Nihonbashi-Ningyocho, Chuo-ku 103-0013 (google map)
HAIBARA (Washi Store)
2-8-11-2F Nihonbashi Chuo-ku 103-0027 (google map)
TAMAI (Anago Restaurant)
2-9-9 Nihonbashi Chuo-ku 103-0027 (google map)
MORIOKA SHOTEN (Art & Vintage Books)
2-17-3 Inoue Bldg 2 - #305 Nihonbashi-Kayabacho Chuo-ku 103-0025 (google map)
2-4-9 Nihonbashi-Ningyocho, Chuo-ku 103-0013 (google map)
HAIBARA (Washi Store)
2-8-11-2F Nihonbashi Chuo-ku 103-0027 (google map)
TAMAI (Anago Restaurant)
2-9-9 Nihonbashi Chuo-ku 103-0027 (google map)
MORIOKA SHOTEN (Art & Vintage Books)
2-17-3 Inoue Bldg 2 - #305 Nihonbashi-Kayabacho Chuo-ku 103-0025 (google map)
This is one of my favourite areas of Tokyo. As a maker, crafter,designer, there are so many masters to visit and learn from. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHello Old Cow, that's nice to hear you like this area. To tell you the truth I didn't know much about this area until recently! I still need to explore!
Deletewhat a great guide to this area!!
ReplyDeletei want to try anago!!
Hello Aron, oooo you will love this anago lunch it's so good! you can choose anago steamed or grilled but steamed is my osusume ;)
DeleteThis seems like a lovely area to take a walk in. That anago dish looks delicious :)
ReplyDeleteHello Trixia, yes every street in this area there is something you would want to photograph. one day i just walked around without really knowing where I was going but was a good fun! (anago is really great!!)
DeleteLook really great, love the first pic, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
DeleteI love this guide. I love Nihonbashi! I often go to the Ninben katsuobushi shop in Nihonbashi and drink a cup of dashi there. Thank you for the hoji-cha shop recommendation. I love hoji-cha. Even with 8 infusions of hot water, it still has good flavor. I usually get karigane-cha from Cibone in Aoyama because I love the can it comes in.... I love old-time Tokyo--not "old time" like Kabuki or temples. I mean Showa period old-time.... I went to the National Museum in Ueno Park and I noticed old, black rotary type phones at the guard stations. And there was a lounge with the most relaxing worn, aged leather arm chairs in the special exhibition area. It was called a rest area, and rest is what I did in the form of a 90-minute nap. I mean deep, peaceful sleep. One of my students said Tokyo can be like a hot, soothing bath. Sometimes I agree.
ReplyDeleteHello David, yes the Ninben katsuobushi shop is amazing isn't it. Love the beautiful dashi you can smell when you walk in to that building! I know what you mean about loving "old-time" tokyo not "old time", there's so much "old-time" left to find in tokyo i love it too :)
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