Ever wanted to eat sushi for breakfast? Sounds crazy right. Well Tsukiji Fish Market is opened at 5:00 AM so you can eat some tasty fresh fish imported from the nearby Toyosu Fish Market. There are so many places to go into, but don’t worry, our Tokyo Tour Guides can help you find the best place so that you can enjoy some delicious sushi in the morning.

Photo Credit: The True Japan

Location: Tsukiji Fish Market

Hours: Typically from morning to noon

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

 

Namiyoke Inari Shrine is an important shrine to the Tsukiji Fish Market. It literally means protection from waves and acts a guardian deity shrine for the fish market. The shrine was founded in 1659, but the present shrine was built in 1937.

Photo Credit: Tsuki Hotel

Address: 6 Chome-20-37 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Hours: N/A

Website: http://www.namiyoke.or.jp/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Tsukijishijo Station, Exit A1 on the Tokyo Metro Oedo Line.

 

Many lay claim to be at the center of Tokyo, but in the case of COREDO Muromachi it really is true. A short distance from COREDO Muromachi complex is the Nihonbashi Bridge, known as kilometer zero of Japan’s highway system. Since the Edo Period (1603–1867), this has been the starting point from which all distances to and from Tokyo are measured. In fact, this is where the name COREDO comes from. A combination of the English word “core” and Edo, the former name of Tokyo, COREDO means that we are located at the traditional heart of business and culture.

Drawing on that history while looking to the future, the complex mixes old and new to deliver not only the best Made-in-Japan goods, accessories, and interiors but also incredible cultural experiences, such as tea ceremony, kimono wearing, crafting classes, geisha entertainment, and culinary tours. These cultural experiences can be easily arranged through the Nihonbashi Information Center, located on the B1 floor of COREDO Muromachi 1 and accessed directly from Mitsukoshi-mae Station on the Ginza Line

Long-established stores with histories spanning more than 100 years sit alongside newcomers in this multi-building complex. Combined, the COREDO Muromachi complex—brimming over with things to explore and enjoy—put you at the center of Tokyo and is the starting point for your exploration of Japanese culture. Forget time and relax—in the past, present, and future. We’re waiting for you at COREDO Muromachi.

Address: 2 Chome-2-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0022, Japan

Hours: 11am - 10pm

Website: https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/urban/coredo-muromachi/e/

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

 

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.