nihonbashi

Saturday, after doing some errands, we went to Nihonbashi

But first, lunch at Toyo, this shop has been in business since 1966 and specializes in Western style foods

(I’ve passed by this place many times and was interested in checking it out)

Loved the retro style interior

I chose the daily special which was hayashi rice (hashed beef), Satoshi had their hamburger and ebi fry...his portion was way smaller!

The food comes out pretty quick, and is delicious, but nothing out of the ordinary, we also liked that it wasn't crowded, only thing is that it is cash only

From here we walked to Ibasen, makers of hand held fans that have been in business since 1590

So pretty to see

Minobe Betsuin, around the corner from where the Edo Denmacho Prison used to be located.

(Satoshi was a little disappointed with the diorama they had of the prison displayed in the community center)

Edoya, a shop that sells brushes that has been in business since 1718, unfortunately they are only open on weekdays

Nearby is Ichimasu Tagen, which sells kimono, gives advice on how to clean or repair kimono, exhibits all sorts of artifacts and sells all sorts of knick knacks too

They have been in business since 1816

I've been wanting to check out the Commisary, a food court in the Nihonbashi area, that apparently opened in 2020

There are five shops: beer, pizza, tacos, doughnuts and coffee

Since we had already eaten lunch, we just had some doughnuts and coffee

The people working at doughnut & coffeeare not too service oriented and not too friendly if you aren't a "regular"

The dinosaur and old fashioned chocolate doughnuts that we tried were just okay

I tried the iced espresso chai and Satoshi had an americano (because that was the only type of non-espresso type coffee drink that they sold)

Not sure about the other 3 shops, but the doughnut and coffee shops were cashless.

If I come back I want to try food from Pizza.

After sitting and having a quick snack, we walked around Nihonbashi

They were having a sake tasting event, so there were massive crowds lined up to try different sakes at different shops

Satoshi was interested in checking out Saruya, a tiny shop that makes toothpicks that has been in business since 1704

The toothpicks are made from kuromoji trees, there was a plant outside the shop

I wanted to check out Eitaro, candy and sweets makers since 1818

They make hard candies as well as Japanese wagashi type sweets (mochi & manju)

Satoshi wanted to see the Pokemon Center, it is located in the East Building of Takashimaya Nihonbashi, it was krazy

And we got a little lost looking for it.

The weather was nice, the wind was a bit chilly, but it was nice to be out and about exploring.

Toyo

1-2-10 Nihonbashi

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays

Hours: 11:00-22:00 (Mondays-Fridays), 11:00-20:00 (Saturdays

Ibasen

4-1 Nihonbashikobunacho

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays

Hours: 10:00-18:00

Edoya

2-16 Nihonbashiodenmacho

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed: Saturdays & Sundays

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Ichimasutagen

2-3-8 Nihonbashihoridomecho

Chuo, Tokyo

Hours: 10:00-18:30 (Mondays-Fridays) 10:00-17:30 (Saturdays & Sundays)

Commisary Nihonbashi

3-11-5 Nihonbashihoncho

Chuo, Tokyo

Hours: 11:00-22:00

*most shops are cashless

Saruya

1-12-5 Nihonbashimuromachi

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays

Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Mondays-Fridays), 12:00-17:00 (Sundays)