Goldfish and the lighting-up of city in Nihonbashi
1. Today's Walking Course
Today, I came to Nihonbashi to see the goldfish exhibition. Goldfish is a kind of crucian carp with beautiful color and the feature in Japanese summer.
2. Today's Photographies
Now I am in the front of Nihonbashi Bridge. This bridgIe is one of the most famous bridge and the starting point of main roads in Japan.
This electric lamp on the bridge has a historical atmosphere.
This statue is about legendary Chinese animals. It’s extremely elaborate!
After crossing the bridge, I found the lighting-up of building, Mandrin Oriental Hotel. It is so beautiful! I think the facade is blending of Japanese and Western styles.
During summer, this road is decorated with a lot of paper lanterns. It looks very cool.
The design of this lantern is goldfish. It really suites Japanese summer!
Wow, Fukutoku Shrine is also being lit up.
This shrine is just among many buildings. Altough it looks new, this shrine was established in the 9th century. It has a very long history.
Now I am on the goldfish exhibition hall in Coredo Muromachi 1st building. These goldfishes are so pretty!!
Today I completely enjoyed Japanese summer!!
3. History
The Nihonbashi Bridge was established in the 17th century as a part of development of Tokyo city and this bridge has been the starting point of Japanese main roads since then.
Since there were many shops and the biggest fish market around Nihonbashi, this area was one of the most lively in Japan during the 17th century to the 19th century in Edo era. As Hiroshige Utagawa, Japanese famous painter depicted as below, there have always been a lot of people crossing this bridge since long ago.
The current stone bridge was build in the 20th century. Unfortunately, the expressway was constructed just above the bridge in 1960s because Tokyo metropolitan government needed to establish transportation infrastructure rapidly before Tokyo Olympic in 1964.
Now, many Japanese people understand the importance of protecting the traditional landscapre and want to recover the scenery in Nihonbashi.
In order to deal with it, Japanese property company which has developed this area announced that they would remove the expressway and return the landscape in the future.
4. Information
・Closest stations to Nihonbashi Bridge is Nihonbashi Station, Ginza Line or Asakua Line.
・Mandarin Oriental Hotel is just 5 miutes and Fukutoku Shrine is just 10 minutes on foot from Nihonbashi Bridge.
