Nihonbashi to Ningyocho: merchant Tokyo: a walk in Tokyo

Kilometre zero of Japan's roads, Japan's first department store and the new Coredo Muromachi district with its rooftop shrine, then east to the money-luck Koami Shrine, the old shops of Ningyocho's Amazake Yokocho, Suitengu and the Meijiza theatre.

Best time: Weekday daytime, when the old shops are open; Ningyocho's Amazake Yokocho is liveliest at lunchtime.

The route, stop by stop

1
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi food floor (depachika)
Founded in 1673 as the Echigoya kimono shop, Japan's first department store from 1904. 30 min
Food floor of Tokyo's oldest department store, founded as the Echigoya dry-goods shop in 1673: deli, bento, sake and sweets from famous shops, with the Kayuan section of top…
2
Fukutoku Shrine
Shrine in the Fukutoku no Mori grove among the Coredo Muromachi towers, whose shops sell crafts and foods in an Edo-inspired setting. 10 min
3
Nihonbashi Bridge
Rebuilt in stone in the Meiji period, kilometre zero of Japan's national road network since the Edo period; now under the 1960s expressway. 10 min
4
Koami Shrine
Small Nihonbashi Koamicho shrine; its hall and kagura stage are Chuo City cultural properties. 10 min
5
Amazake Yokocho
Ningyocho's old shopping lane; stop for snacks. 30 min
A 400 m street in Ningyocho named after the sweet amazake once sold at its entrance, running from Ningyocho station towards the Meijiza theatre. Old snack shops and restaurants…
6
Suitengu
Tokyo branch of the Suiten-gu shrines, prayed to for safe childbirth. 15 min
A shrine of safe childbirth where expectant mothers and couples hoping for children come to pray, The shrine building reopened after renovation in 2016.
7
Meijiza
Theatre first built in 1873, presenting kabuki and Western stage plays. 5 min

Walking directions

Nihonbashi to Ningyocho: merchant Tokyo

The route, stop by stop

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