Tokyo's historical Nihonbashi district undergoes careful facelift
By Channel NewsAsia's Japan Bureau Chief Michiyo Ishida | Posted: 23 November 2009 1512 hrs

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JAPAN: Tokyo's historical commercial centre, Nihonbashi (literally translated to 'Japan bridge') is undergoing a facelift.

But authorities are mindful against turning it into another urban development project like many other major districts in the Japanese capital, post-World War II.

The business district was developed around a bridge of the same name, which has linked two sides of the Nihonbashi River since the 17th century.

The symbolic bridge is often portrayed with Mount Fuji in the background and has long been a popular subject for the art of Edo or old Tokyo.

Nihonbashi was first built in 1603 with the launch of the Edo Shogunate and it became point zero for Japan's roads.

As the wooden bridge was burnt down a number of times, the current stone arch was erected in 1911 and has since been designated as a cultural asset.

Many assets of the Nihonbashi district, such as centuries-old traditional shops, were unfortunately lost in earthquakes and fires.

One of the symbols of Nihonbashi's commercial importance is the Bank of Japan building, which was completed in 1896.

Such western classic-style buildings were built one after another. Most of the structures which remain today are either national cultural assets or designated historic buildings.

Mitsui Main Building was built in 1929. In 1998, it became the first office building to be designated as an important cultural asset. While preserving it, the developer built a 39-storey block next to it in 2005.

The older building has a special place in the hearts of many as it was built after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

Toshihiro Nakagawa, general manager, Nihonbashi Urban Planning and Development Department, Mitsui Fudosan, said: "This building was symbolic of the post-earthquake reconstruction to unite and invigorate the mood of the people. We also built it with the intention to make it into a building that we could boast about to the world.

"There's a lot of passion towards its construction as a symbol of the town. And we want to preserve it. By preserving it, new buildings will need to abide by a rule. It's a concept that did not exist in Japan before this."

A 'cherry blossom street' project is underway to beautify the road leading towards the Bank of Japan. A 1,000-year-old shrine will be preserved as well.

"Nihonbashi has history. Compared to other terminal stations and districts in Tokyo, the lifestyle here is completely different. Hey, this is Japan. That's how this place should be," Mr Nakagawa said.


- CNA/so