Nihonbashi Area

Address: Nihonbashi (Nihonbashi Bridge / district), Chūō City, Tokyo, Japan

Nihonbashi is a historic commercial district in central Tokyo, Japan, centered on the Nihonbashi Bridge over the Nihonbashi River. It has been an important merchant and financial area since the Edo period.

The stone bridge and the surrounding district were the starting point for Japan’s old highway network, with the bridge itself serving as the traditional zero milestone. Today the area combines preserved historic elements with modern office towers, department stores and financial institutions.

The current stone bridge and many of the surrounding buildings date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though the site has been a river crossing and commercial hub for centuries. The district remains a focal point for commerce and transport in Tokyo.

Located in Chuo Ward, Nihonbashi sits east of Tokyo Station and is well connected by subway and surface streets.

• Kilometre zero: Serves as the traditional kilometre-zero for Japan’s old highway system, with the historic bridge marking the starting point of the Tokaido and other major roads.
• Commercial district: Surrounded by modern financial buildings and department stores, with the Mitsukoshi department store historically established at Nihonbashi.

Nihonbashi is in central Tokyo and is served directly by Nihombashi Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Tozai Line, plus Toei Asakusa Line). From Tokyo Station it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk east along Yaesu / Nihonbashi-dōri; by subway it is one stop or a short ride from nearby central stations. Driving is within central Tokyo (short distances from surrounding wards).

• Visit Nihonbashi early in the morning when the historic bridge and surrounding streets are quieter and traditional shops are opening-this is the best time for unobstructed photos.
• Use Mitsukoshimae or Nihombashi subway stations for the most direct access, then explore the narrow side streets and COREDO Muromachi complex; many visitors stick to the main bridge and miss century-old confectioners and specialty wholesalers nearby.
• If you want local character, pop into small, long-established shops on the lanes off the main square-traditional Japanese crafts and sweets shops here often have histories dating back several generations.