Nihombashi (the bridge)

Marker from which distances are measured

Nihombashi (or Nihonbashi, 日本橋, lit. "Japan Bridge") is a famous bridge in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan that is also the namesake of one of Tokyo's largest commercial districts.

The neighborhood

The Nihombashi district was a major mercantile center during the Edo period: its early development is largely credited to the Mitsui family, who based their wholesaling business in Nihombashi and developed Japan's first department store, Mitsukoshi, there. The Edo-era fish market formerly in Nihombashi was the predecessor of today's Tsukiji fish market.

Today, the area remains an important business center. The Bank of Japan and Tokyo Stock Exchange are both located in the area. Companies based in Nihombashi include Daiichi Pharmaceuticals , Itochu, Kubota, Marubeni, Marubun , Maruzen , Nomura, Softbank, Takeda, and TDK.

Nihombashi is located east of Tokyo Station, north of Yaesu and Ginza, south of Akihabara, and west of the Sumida River .

The bridge

Nihombashi first became famous during the 1600s, when it was the eastern terminus of the Tokaido road between Edo and Osaka. During this time, it was known as Edobashi, or "Edo Bridge." In the Meiji era, the wooden bridge was replaced by a larger stone bridge, which still stands today (a replica of the old bridge has been exhibited at the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

Nihombashi is the point from which Japanese people measure distances. Highway signs that report the distance to Tokyo actually state the number of kilometers to Nihombashi.