This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
Nihonbashi is a city of history and culture that has continued since the Edo period, and continues to flourish as the center of Tokyo.
Nihonbashi has many attractions, including long-established stores, traditional crafts, high-end department stores, and modern buildings. This time I would like to introduce some of them.
The distance from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Nihonbashi is approximately 44 km, and the journey time is approximately 1 hour.
I set out on my beloved Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide.
The starting point is National Route 17 in front of Ageo City Hall. From here, proceed southeast along Nakasendo.
On the way, you will pass through large cities such as Ikebukuro and Toda, but there is not a lot of traffic and you can drive smoothly. Once you enter the Shin-Omiya Bypass, the road becomes wider, but there are also more traffic lights. Let’s run with caution.
Turn right at the Takashimadaira intersection, which is the end of the Shin-Omiya Bypass, and you will enter the Shuto Expressway Omiya Line. From here onwards, it will be a paid section. The Shuto Expressway Omiya Line passes through downtown areas such as Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, but since it is an elevated road, you can also enjoy the scenery. I’m especially impressed when I see landmarks such as Shinjuku subcenter and Tokyo Dome.
At Takebashi Junction, the terminal point of the Shuto Expressway Omiya Line, use the left lane to enter the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line. You can ride the Shuto Expressway’s Inner Loop Line while enjoying views of famous landmarks such as the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower, but you may also get stuck in traffic jams. Let’s run with caution.
Get off the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line at the Takaracho Interchange and arrive at your destination, Nihonbashi.
From here it becomes a public road, but there is not much traffic. Cross Kuan Bridge and proceed along Yaesu Street, then turn right at the Kyobashi 1-chome intersection and enter Route 316. Turn left at the Edobashi 1-chome intersection and enter Eitai Dori. Turn left at the Nihonbashi intersection and enter Chuo Dori. You will soon see Nihonbashi on your left.
Nihonbashi is a historic bridge that has been the starting point of the Five Highways since the Edo period.
The current bridge was built in 1911 and is a double arch structure made of stone.
From the top of the bridge, you can see the Nihonbashi River, skyscrapers, and Nihonbashi Station below the elevated bridge. There are lion statues and phoenix decorations on both ends of the bridge, giving it an Edo feel. In the center of the bridge is the Nihonbashi Starting Point Monument, which marks the starting point of Japan. Distances are measured from here to all parts of the country.
A short walk from Nihonbashi is the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Japan’s oldest department store.
This store was founded in 1673 as a kimono store, and in 1904 it was declared a department store, becoming Japan’s first department store. The building was built in the 1930s and is designated as an important cultural property. The store is stocked with Japanese and Western luxury brands, traditional crafts, food, and more.
In particular, the Mitsukoshi Theater on the rooftop is Japan’s first rooftop garden theater, where Kabuki and musicals are performed.
Nihonbashi Takashimaya is located across from the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi main store.
This is also a department store with a long history, and was founded in 1831 as a kimono store.
The building was built in the 1930s and is designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The store has fashion, miscellaneous goods, food, and more. In particular, the “Takashimaya Gallery” on the first basement floor is a space where works of art and crafts are displayed, and various special exhibitions are held here.
A little far from Nihonbashi is a commercial facility called Coredo Muromachi.
In addition to being home to a variety of specialty stores and restaurants, you can also enjoy “Japanese culture experience tours” such as tea ceremony, kimono dressing, and making traditional crafts. Although this tour is mainly aimed at foreign tourists, there are many Japanese participants as well, and it is well-received as a traditional cultural experience.
In Nihonbashi, there are many long-established stores and specialty stores that have been around since the Edo period.
For example, Shigemori Eishindo is a ningyo-yaki and zeitaku rice cracker shop that celebrated its 100th anniversary. “Hamanoin” is a shop that sells Hamacho pickles and other delicacies, such as fish fillets marinated in traditional Edo sweet miso.
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten'' is a store that sells dish towels made from mosquito net fabric and various miscellaneous goods to enrich your life.Sembikiya Sohonten” is a long-established store that offers fruits, sweets and juices made with fruits.
Summary
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
Nihonbashi is a city of history and culture, blending ancient charm with modern vibrancy.
There are many things to see in Nihonbashi, but my favorite is the Rooftop Garden Theater at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. Here you can enjoy performing arts such as Kabuki and musicals.
You can also see the view of Tokyo from the rooftop. I saw the play “Sakurahime Higashibun” at this theater and was very moved.
Nihonbashi also has a wide variety of specialty products. I bought ningyoyaki and Zeitaku rice crackers from Shigemori Eishindo, Hamamachi pickles and delicacies from Hamanoin, dish towels and miscellaneous goods from Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, and chopsticks from Kyohashi Mantsukin. and chopstick rests, fruits and fruit sweets from “Sembikiya Sohonten”. These items are perfect for yourself or as a gift.
The bike touring from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Nihonbashi, Tokyo took about an hour, but it was a fun journey along the way and a satisfying one at the destination. I think Nihonbashi is a city worth visiting by bike. Everyone should definitely go and try it at least once.
The above was sent to you by _hiroyuki.ta. Next time we look forward to.
