Image of A Historical Walk along the Tokaido Route: From Nihonbashi to Ginza

A Historical Walk along the Tokaido Route: From Nihonbashi to Ginza

This is a straight route starting from Nihonbashi—home to the Mitsukoshi Main Store (formerly Echigoya)—crossing the actual Nihonbashi bridge and heading toward Ginza. Since this road is part of the Tokaido, it leads all the way to Kyoto. Let’s enjoy a walk while soaking in the history.

First, head to “Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi,” a lifestyle concept store from Taiwan located on the 2nd floor of COREDO Muromachi Terrace. With many interesting shops gathered on a single floor, it is a perfect spot to meet up.

Nearest Stations: Mitsukoshimae Station (G12, Z09), Nihonbashi Station (G11, T10), and Higashi-nihombashi Station (A15).

Image of ESLITE SPECTRUM NIHONBASHI
ESLITE SPECTRUM NIHONBASHI
This is a complex shop focusing on “Art” and “Lifestyle,” well-known to those who love Taiwan. It occupies the entire second floor of “COREDO Muromachi Terrace,” which is a short distance from COREDO Muromachi. Stylish books, miscellaneous goods, and tea shops are gathered in one place, making it easy to browse around and perfect for meeting up.
  • SHOPPING
About a 5-minute walk. Take the elevator up in the Mitsukoshi Main Building, which faces a large intersection.
Image of NADAMAN NIHONBASHI
NADAMAN NIHONBASHI
Since it’s a walk around Nihonbashi, treat yourself to a luxurious lunch at Nadaman. It will be fairly pricey, but if you go to the department store restaurant floor, you can drop in quite casually. A meal you can savor slowly, dish by dish, makes a wonderful reward for yourself.
  • EAT
Go back the way you came for a bit; it’s about a 5-minute walk.
Image of TSURUYAYOSHINOBU TOKYO MISE
TSURUYAYOSHINOBU TOKYO MISE
A wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shop facing the street at COREDO Muromachi. It is a Kyoto confectionery shop founded in Kyowa 3 (1803). At the counter seats, you can enjoy wagashi that are carefully made right in front of you. There are many other fun shops inside COREDO Muromachi as well, so when you get tired, take a break here.
  • EAT
Walk back toward the Mitsukoshi area again for about 5 minutes.
Image of STATUES OF KIRIN
STATUES OF KIRIN
Nihonbashi, the starting point of Japan’s national routes. Someday, if the expressway running above it is removed, I think the kirin statues will look even more impressive. The “Nihonbashi” lettering on the bridge is also a highlight—it is said to have been written by Yoshinobu Tokugawa, the last shogun. Since history is still engraved here, take your time and cross …
  • PUBLIC
Keep going straight for about 7 minutes. You will pass COREDO Nihonbashi and Takashimaya along the way.
Image of ARTIZON MUSEUM
ARTIZON MUSEUM
Formerly the Bridgestone Museum of Art. It is located just a short walk from the Tokyo Station underground shopping area. I, as the curator, haven’t yet had the chance to visit the new Artizon Museum, but the surrounding area has been developed as well, so it seems like you could also enjoy walking around nearby.
  • FACILITY
It’s about a 3-minute walk, but you will need to cross the street.
Image of MEIDI YA STORE KYOBASHI
MEIDI YA STORE KYOBASHI
Perhaps because it is a shop located in the company’s headquarters building, it is smaller than you might expect, but the building has a nice atmosphere and I think you can enjoy looking around. There are also restaurants and cafés nearby, so you can explore the area as well.
  • SHOPPING
After some shopping, continue straight for another 10 minutes.
Image of GINZA ITOYA
GINZA ITOYA
If you’re looking for well-designed stationery, Itoya is the place. From the top of the building to the bottom, it’s filled with stylish stationery and assorted goods. In Ginza, where high-end brand stores line the streets, it’s a building that feels easy to step into even for ordinary shoppers.
  • SHOPPING
Walk straight past the intersection where Mitsukoshi is located for about 5 minutes. Before heading to the rooftop, I recommend getting a drink to go from Blue Bottle in the basement. You can take the nearby elevator straight up to the rooftop.
Image of GINZA SIX GARDEN
GINZA SIX GARDEN
Even at GINZA SIX, which can feel a bit intimidating, there is a spot on the rooftop where you can relax casually. It isn’t a very tall building, so you’re surrounded by other buildings, but it’s fun to look around—you can see the Ginza Wako clock tower looking small, and the entire UNIQLO building, among other sights. I recommend getting …
  • FACILITY

Once you’ve relaxed on a rooftop bench, that brings us to the goal for this trip.
The nearest station is Ginza Station (G09, M16, H09). Since you are already in Ginza, why not pick up some side dishes at the “depachika” (basement food hall) of Mitsukoshi or Matsuya on your way home?

If you skipped Nadaman near the starting point, I recommend “Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin.” It is close to GINZA SIX and is “relatively” affordable for the Ginza area.

Looking at the Tokaido as a whole, this route is still just the beginning. It is a truly historic street with many highlights, making it a beautiful walking course. However, since most of the area follows a grid pattern, it might be a bit tricky to find detours in the back alleys. If you have the time, you can fully enjoy yourself just by wandering through the winding streets.

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