Tokyo: Nihonbashi

Our trip to Tokyo last weekend turned to a “drive around Tokyo trip” thanks to the rain. We ended up driving past many areas which were not part of our original plan. One such place was Nihonbashi. On our way from Marunouchi and Ginza to Akihabara, we passed through Nihonbashi.

Nihonbashi, is an historical bridge which is built across the Nihonbashi river. The name which also means “Japan Bridge” as it was the eastern end of the Nakasendo and Tokaido roads which connected Kyoto and Edo ( today’s Tokyo). The mile zero marker for Japan’s national highway network since the early Edo period was originally set in the middle of the road across the Nihonbashi bridge. 

It is now mounted on a plinth at one end of the bridge. Even to this day, all road distances are measured from the centre of the bridge. 

 The earliest structure built in 1603 was a wooden bridge which was replaced with a stone bridge during the Meiji period. In the 1960’s, the bridge was covered with an expressway.

 Nihonbashi has been the centre of Japan’s trade and commerce over the centuries. In the 1600’s, Nihonbashi was chosen as the location for the  Edo branch (Tokyo was earlier known as Edo) of  “Echigoya”, a successful wholesale business. Echigoya was the predecessor for Japan’s first western style department store, which is now known as Mitsukoshi chain of department stores. The “Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi” store is the company’s flagship store and is thronged by locals and tourists alike.

The queues of car’s waiting for a parking space in the store runs through several blocks and many parking assistants can be seen guiding the customers’ cars as far as a kilometer away !

The store’s 7 storeyed main building was constructed in 1935 and was designated an historic structure in 1999 by the Tokyo Metropolitan. 

A 10 storeyed annexe building was constructed later and connects it to the main building on a few floors. Mitsukoshi is definitely a place to visit for high end shopping.

Another popular department store in the vicinity is Coredo Muromachi which was opened in 2010. The earlier Coredo store, known as Coredo Nihonbashi is closer to the bridge and was opened in 2004.

We passed by the Bank of Japan’s headquarters as we drove past Nihonbashi. Bank of Japan is Japan’s central bank and was established in 1882 and succeeded the First National Bank. 

The neo Baroque style stone building was designed in 1896.

 The Tokyo Stock Exchange is also located in Nihonbashi.

We also passed by Suidobashi on our way to Akihabara.

Access: Nihonbashi Station on the Ginza, Tozai and Asakusa Lines and Mitsukoshimae station on the Hanzomon and Ginza lines are the closest stations for reaching central Nihonbashi. Nihonbashi can also be reached by a 10 minute walk from Tokyo station’s Nihonbashi exit. 

Tokyo : Akihabara – The Mecca for Gadget Lovers

Most overseas visitors to Tokyo have one thing on their mind – Squeezing in a visit to Akihabara. Akihabara or Akiba as locals often call it, is famous for its electronics shops. Akihabara is filled with hundreds of shops selling electronic items. 

One can find large electronics retailers as well as tiny stalls specializing in electronic components. You could buy anything from the latest gadgets, televisions, mobile phones, computers and home appliances to used appliances and gadgets.

 

Camera hunters can find just about any model and make in Akihabara. For overseas visitors thought, the electronic appliances however lucrative are not of much use owing to voltage differences. But some stores have select models which can be used overseas and some may also offer duty free shopping to foreign tourists. 

Chuo dori is the main street where most big stores are located. Part of the road is closed to vehicular traffic for certain hours on Sunday. 

In recent years, Akihabara has been emerging as a mecca for Japan’s anime and manga lovers. Locals refer to this as centre for Japan’s Otaku culture (die hard fan). Many shops here sell merchandise related to popular manga and anime characters.

 Many Japanese people (of all age groups) like to collect character goods which may include tiny figurines, toys, cards, stickers, video games, books etc and Akihabara caters to all their needs. On Sundays, one can also spot cosplayers (people dressed as anime characters) frequenting the Chuo dori, much like Tokyo’s other cosplayer centre- Harajuku.

Akihabara is also associated with “Maid cafes”- where waitresses dress up as anime characters or maids and “Manga Coffee shops” where visitors can read comics and watch DVDs to their hearts fill.

 For instance, Gundam café is themed after the popular Mobile suit Gundam anime series. Gundam themed dishes are served here while the interiors are decorated with art and themes from the series. Character goods from the series are sold in the gift shop.

Next door is the AKB 48 Café and Shop, which as the name suggests is themed after the popular idol group AKB 48. Food inspired by the idols is served here and the gift shop sells character goods. The café has a theatre where select members of the the idol group perform during specific performance times. However don’t expect to walk in for the show as prior reservations are required.

On a recent visit to Tokyo, we just drove past the Akihabara area since it was a rainy day. But the area was crowded nevertheless. No wonder Akihabara is also called “Electric Town” or “Gamer’s Mecca”

Access: Akihabara is centered around Akihabara station on the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and Chuo local lines. Akihabara is also within walking distance of Ueno station.

Website: http://www.akiba.or.jp/english/

Aqua World - Oarai

We recently visited the Aqua World in Oarai. This aquarium is located in Higashi-ibaraki district of Ibaraki prefecture is built over 19800 sq metres and located close to Oarai port. 

The Aquarium area has been divided into 7 floors. The display areas are further segregated into The Encounter Sea, Deep Sea, The Seas of the World, The Museum Area, Seas of the World-2, Rivers and Streams, The Rendezvous Deck, Ocean front and the Marketplace.

Many varieties of fish, marine mammals and other sea creatures can be seen in Aqua World.

 About 580 species of 68000 creatures are on display in the aquarium’s 60 water tanks.

The aquarium has a large number of sharks on display. 

The Sea Life of Ibaraki exhibit features over 20000 fish of 80 species, which live at the confluence of warm and cold currents. In the Seas of the World exhibit, the coral reefs of Okinawa and the Sea of Okhotsk have been recreated.

This exhibit features ocean life in the temperate and tropical waters.

The marine mammals on display include Humboldt Penguins, Sea Otters, Spotted Seals, Tufted Puffins and California Sea lions. 

The displays of seaweeds, plankton, sharks, whales, penquins etc in the Sea Life Museum offer visitors and insight into the anatomy and behaviour of fish. Computers in the Ocean Information Plaza provide information on sea creatures.

The star attraction of the Aquaworld is the Dolphin and California sea Lion show. 

This show which lasts about 30 minutes is held about 4 times a day in the Ocean Theatre. 

It may be difficult to find seating especially on weekends. There are also other shows like Aqua Viewing, and feeding of Humboldt penguins, Sea lions, Seals, Sharks, Sunfish and Tufted Puffins.

Aqua World is definitely a place that one must visit. Our 5 year old daughter loved the place to the core. 

Address: 8252-3 Isohama-machi Oarai-machi Higashiibaraki-gun Ibaraki-ken 311-1301 Japan

Phone: 029-267-5151

Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 hrs

Tickets: Adults 1800 yen; Children 900 yen (age 7-15)/ 300 yen(Age 3-7). Group discounts available.

Parking: Free (750 cars)

Website : http://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/top/index.html