Nihonbashi was first built in 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu planned the construction of a network of 'expressways' to all over Japan. Today’s bridge is the 19th generation. In 1604, Ieyasu chose Nihonbashi as the starting point for Japan's five most important roads. And so, since then, point zero (0km, then 1km, 2km, etc.) has been situated here at Nihonbashi.
Japanese have always enjoyed shopping here. A picture scroll, Kidaishoran, painted in 1805, shows us the hustle and bustle of Edo city. A reproduction panel of this painting is exhibited at the underground concourse of “Mitsukoshi-mae” subway station. And we can also enjoy shopping and food that features sophisticated Edo culture, at the new shopping complex, COREDO Muromachi. There are many very nice cafés, restaurants, and gift shops inside it.
