Standing on a former site of a gold mint, the Bank of Japan was founded in the late 1800s to begin centralizing and nationalizing the new currency of yen and becoming the sole printer of money in Japan. It still is responsible for issuing the yen and acts as the central bank of Japan. Much of the building remains from it’s original structure such as the dazzling chandelier and iron stairs. The bank was designed by Tatsuno Kingo - the same architect for Tokyo Station. You can even book a tour with them and have the chance to look at the insides and learn about the history of money in Japan. Reservations must be made weeks in advance.

Photo Credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Nihonbashihongokucho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0021, Japan

Hours: 9am - 3pm

Website: https://www.boj.or.jp/en/index.htm/

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from Kanda Station, South Exit on the JR Line.

 

Tosho Arrows at the Tokyo Stock Exchange is open to the general public. You can visit the Market Center where they monitor sales and purchases, experience stock investment at the Market Experience, and visit the Securities Archives Hall to look back at the pre-war stock exchanges.

Summary Credit: Central Tokyo Tourism

Photo Credit: Central Tokyo Tourism

Address: 2-1 Nihonbashikabutocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8220, Japan

Hours: Closed Saturday and Sunday, 8:45am - 4:45pm

Website: https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/

How to get there: A 6 minute walk from Nihonbashi Station, Exit D4 on the Asakusa Line.

 

The oldest surviving department store chain in Japan, visit the main Mitsukoshi department store for the finest shopping experience in Japan. This flagship branch started out in 1673 as a well known kimono seller called Echigaya and has transformed its way into the most prestigious department store in Japan. It’s home to all brands, both domestic and international. The store has a touch of the Edo period (1603-1868) to it, where there promotions are done so in styles from that time. When doors open at 10am, get greeted by a row of staff lined up with a respectful bow for your shopping experience here.

Photo Credit: Time Out Tokyo

Address: 1 Chome-4-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8001, Japan

Hours: 10am - 7pm

Website: https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/nihombashi.html

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from Nihonbashi Station, Exit B12 on the Ginza Line.

 

Constructed in roughly 1603, Nihonbashi literally means Japan (Nihon) Bridge (bashi). During the Edo period (1603-1868) when Tokyo was still called Edo and acted as the center point and place of power, it was said that all roads came from Edo (literally as the Gokaido highway system started in edo and branched out throughout Japan). The town of Nihonbashi acted as the starting point, and the zero marker was the bridge itself. The current twin arch, stone bridge was constructed in 1911, as the original was a wooden one that had sustained much damage from earthquakes and fires. This bridge is an important cultural property of Japan. Start your exploration of Nihonbashi here!

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

Address: Japan, 〒103-0022 Tokyo, Chuo City, １ 日本橋

Hours: N/A

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Nihonbashi Station, Exit B12 on the Ginza Line.

 

Exit JR Tokyo Station's Marunouchi South Gate and face the clean, straight lines of the KITTE building, a retail and office facility occupying the site of the former Tokyo Central Post Office. Boasting a wide variety of shopping and dining establishments, KITTE is also home to one of the museums with unusual exhibits in Tokyo, a multilingual tourist information center, Tokyo Central Post Office and a rooftop garden perfect for trainspotting.

From the sophisticated stark white exterior to the building's light-filled triangular atrium, by the environmental interiors designed by 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium architect Kengo Kuma, the KITTE complex exudes style. View the atrium as you shop from the five shopping floors that surround the space on three sides. While there, you may catch one of the sponsored or seasonal events often held in the atrium's courtyard space on the 1st floor.

KITTE—its name a play on the Japanese words kitte (postage stamp) and kite (come on over)—each floor is delineated by each special concept. One floor is dedicated to popular local dishes across Japan, another to Japanese aesthetics, and another to the fusion of old and new sensibilities.

Of special note are a couple of venues allowing a respite from eating and shopping. Venture to the second and third floors to enter a free museum, INTERMEDIATHEQUE, operated by Japan Post Co. and the University Museum, the University of Tokyo (UMUT). Item descriptions are written in English as well as Japanese and photography inside the museum is strictly prohibited.

The fourth floor is home to a restoration of the former postmaster's office, allowing you to see what it looked like the time when it founded. The sixth floor rooftop garden overlooks Tokyo Station, providing a one-of-a-kind angle for trainspotting and photography.

Summary Credits: Go Tokyo

Photo Credit: The Gate

Address: 2-chōme-7 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tōkyō-to 100-0005, Japan

Hours: Typically around 11am - 9pm, depending on stores

Website: https://marunouchi.jp-kitte.jp/gb/index.jsp#googtrans(en)

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Tokyo Station, Marunouchi South Exit

 

With hundreds of shops and restaurants on First avenue, you can easily be entertained for hours one end. Whether you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, travelling throughout Japan using the bullet train and need a snack or just looking to shop, eat and kill time, First Avenue has everything for you. The only problem you may run into here is deciding on what you want to eat. First Avenue spans from the basement floor to the 2nd floor of the station.

Check out some of these stores while you’re in the area:

• Ramen Street for ramen heaven

• Gourmet Road and Kitchen Street for flavors from all over Japan. You can literally find any kinds of Japanese restaurants here.

• Character Street for Japans beloved characters

• Hundreds of other sweets, souvenir shops

Photo Credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005, Inside Tokyo Station

Hours: Typically around 10am - 11pm, depending on stores

Website: https://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/en/

How to get there: Basement floor to 2nd floor of Tokyo Station

 

Often times in Japan, the train station has some of the best food in town. Underneath Tokyo Station, there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from, but one special corner is dedicated to just ramen on Ramen Street. So, whether you are leaving Tokyo for your next destination, just arriving or passing through, who wouldn’t want a hearty bowl of ramen to amp you up.

Ramen Street has 8 of some of the best ramen shops in Japan under one roof. So, naturally you can expect longer queues, but for a very rewarding trade: delicious ramen. All the ramen shops are delicious, but one ramen shop has a particularly longer line - Rokurinsha. Rokurinsha is known for their tsukemen or dipping noodles. The noodles and broth comes separately, and you dip the noodles into the broth for a heavenly ramen experience.

Photo Credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Address: Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−9−1 東京駅一番街 B1

Hours: Typically around 11am - 11pm

Website: https://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/en/

How to get there: B1 floor of Tokyo Station. Easy access from Yaesu Exit.

 

A Tokyu institution, Tokyu Hands is the ultimate DIY shop. Selling everything you thought you ever needed, and more, the Shibuya multistory store is a one-stop shop for homewares and other items.

Its curated collection of domestic and overseas products regularly featured in magazines, Tokyu Hands is also a showcase for Japanese design and innovation. The store sells everything from bathroom accessories to luggage, stationery to camping gear, and countless other items. Due to the Shibuya store's popularity, the elevators are often crowded. Get fit navigating the branch's multiple floors and allow yourself plenty of time for browsing. Visit one on our Tokyo walking tours

Summary Credit: Go Tokyo

Japan Travel by Go Tokyo

Address: 12-18 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan

Hours: 10am - 8pm

Website: https://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Shibuya Station, Hachiko exit on the JR Line.

 

TOKYO GUIDE TO SHOPPING

Akihabara is dubbed electric town for a reason. Akihabara is the place to get all your electronic goods. On the main road of Chuo Dori, you can find find hundreds of small electronic stores with the latest gadgets. Be sure to go down every alleyway for the hidden electronic shops!

Check out some of these stores while you’re in the area:

• Yodobashi Camera, the biggest electronic department store

• Radio Center is a historic electronic shop. You can also find anime goods here

• JANPARA for second hand hardware electronics.

Japan Travel by Navitime

Location: Around Akihabara Station

Hours: Typically from around 11:00am - 8pm ish.

Website: N/A

How to get there: Akihabara Station is on the JR Lines Keihin Tohoku, Yamanote and Chuo-Sobu Lines. The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line also runs through it.

 

Around the Akihabara area, you can find some of the best collectibles for gaming and anime goods. While Akihabara is known for its electronic goods, but in the recent decade, every nook and cranny has been filled up with stores specializing in games, anime, manga, retro video games, figurines, card games and any kind of collectibles you can think of.

Check out some of these stores while you’re in the area:

• Mandarake for all your otaku goods.

• Super Potato for retro gaming

• Gamers Main Store, a well known gaming shop

• Animate for 8 floors of Anime shopping

• SEGA gaming

Photo credit: Kanpai Japan

Location: Around Akihabara Station

Hours: Typically from around 11:00am - 8pm ish.

Website: N/A

How to get there: Akihabara Station is on the JR Lines Keihin Tohoku, Yamanote and Chuo-Sobu Lines. The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line also runs through it.