A Detailed Guide to the History and Overview of Shimbashi

 

　Table of Contents

1. Overview of Shimbashi
2. History of Shimbashi
3. Gourmet Spots in Shimbashi

Introduction

Shimbashi is located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and is an area where the business district and entertainment district merge. Shimbashi Station is known as the place where Japan’s first railway line was opened, and today it serves as a major transportation hub where four operators converge: JR East, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and Yurikamome. This station is particularly known as a town for office workers (salarymen), with many office buildings lining the area and businesspeople commonly seen. Shimbashi is also known for its diverse food culture and entertainment facilities, making it an attractive area that bustles with people day and night.

This article provides a detailed introduction to the history, attractive gourmet spots, and entertainment facilities of Shimbashi. We hope it serves as a helpful reference when visiting Shimbashi.

Overview of Shimbashi

Shimbashi is an area in Minato Ward, Tokyo, where the business district and entertainment district merge. Shimbashi Station is known as the place where Japan’s first railway line was opened, and today it serves as a major transportation hub where four operators converge: JR East, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and Yurikamome. This station is particularly known as a town for office workers, with many office buildings lining the area and businesspeople commonly seen.

Also famous as the “Holy Land of Salarymen,” many major corporate headquarters and offices are concentrated here. The redevelopment of the Shiodome district has led to the construction of many skyscrapers, further enriching the business environment. In front of Shimbashi Station is SL Plaza, which frequently appears as a media interview spot.

Another attraction of Shimbashi is its diverse food culture. Numerous restaurants and eateries line the area around the station, bustling day and night. There are popular lunch spots for businesspeople, izakaya to stop by after work, and restaurants that can satisfy tourists looking for gourmet experiences. In particular, the Shimbashi Ekimae Building and New Shimbashi Building are home to distinctive restaurants and bars, offering visitors a variety of culinary delights.

Cultural facilities and entertainment spots are also abundant. Traditional kabuki and theater performances can be enjoyed at the Shimbashi Enbujo Theater, and movie theaters and small playhouses are also scattered throughout the area. Museums and galleries are available as well, making diverse cultural experiences possible. The Panasonic Shiodome Museum and Shiodome City Center Gallery are particularly popular.

While maintaining its identity as a business hub, Shimbashi is a distinctive area where history and modernity blend together. Centered around Shimbashi Station, a key transportation hub, Shimbashi offers diverse attractions to all visitors, bringing together business, gourmet dining, and entertainment.

History of Shimbashi

■ Edo Period (1600s – 1800s)

The history of Shimbashi dates back to the Edo period. In 1604, a bridge called “Shimbashi” (meaning “New Bridge”) was built over the Shiodome River, giving the area its name, and it developed as an important transportation hub. At the time, Shimbashi played an important role as the starting point of the Tokaido highway, with samurai residences and merchant houses lining the area. In 1710, the Shibaguchi Gate was installed, and the bridge was also called “Shibaguchi Gomon Bridge,” but it later returned to the name “Shimbashi.”

■ Meiji Period (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)

Shimbashi’s development began in 1872 when Japan’s first railway opened. This railway connected Shimbashi and Yokohama, and the original Shimbashi Station was located where present-day Shiodome Station stands. This established Shimbashi’s important status as the birthplace of railways in Japan. In 1882, a horse-drawn tramway opened from in front of Shimbashi Station to Nihonbashi, further strengthening its position as a transportation hub.

■ Taisho Period (1910s – 1920s)

In 1914, Shimbashi Station was renamed Shiodome Station, and the current Shimbashi Station opened under the name “Karasumori Station.” The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 caused significant damage to the Shimbashi area, but through subsequent reconstruction, a new Shimbashi Station opened in 1925, and the area once again functioned as the center of the district.

■ Showa Period (1930s – 1980s)

In 1934, the Tokyo Underground Railway (now the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line) was extended to Shimbashi Station, further improving transportation convenience. After the war, Shimbashi rapidly developed as a town for office workers, becoming an area lined with many restaurants and commercial facilities. Particularly from the 1950s onward, the area around the station took on an increasingly business-oriented character, and SL Plaza was established as a relaxation spot for salarymen.

■ Modern Era (1990s – Present)

From the 1990s through the 2000s, the area around Shimbashi underwent significant redevelopment. The Shiodome area in particular saw large-scale redevelopment, transforming into a modern business district lined with skyscrapers. Many companies have offices in this area, and with well-equipped commercial facilities and restaurants, it provides an environment that supports diverse lifestyles.

Today, Shimbashi maintains its identity as a business hub while being an area where historical heritage and modern development merge, beloved by many people. Centered around Shimbashi Station, a key transportation hub, Shimbashi offers diverse attractions to all visitors, bringing together business, gourmet dining, and entertainment.

Gourmet Spots in Shimbashi

■ Shimbashi Nishiguchi-dori

Located on the west side of Shimbashi Station, this area is known as a drinking alley that extends around Sakurada Park. This area is home to many restaurants and izakaya that evoke a particularly retro Showa-era atmosphere, bustling with office workers and locals.

With a background that developed from postwar street stalls and black markets, Shimbashi Nishiguchi-dori still has buildings and shops that carry the weight of history. Small izakaya and standing bars are packed into narrow alleys, and these establishments offer delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. Standing bars in particular are popular spots where salarymen can casually drop in after work.

Among the representative restaurants, “Yakiton Makochan,” a yakiton (grilled pork) specialty shop founded in 1970, is beloved by many locals for its superb yakiton grilled with a secret sauce. “Nandokiya” is a 24-hour izakaya where dishes like beef plate and meat tofu are popular. Since it is open from early morning, there are quite a few customers who visit from the early hours.

■ Hibiya Gourmet Zone

Located in the Hibiya area within walking distance of Shimbashi Station, this gourmet spot opened in July 2020 under the railway arches between Yurakucho and Shimbashi stations. This new gourmet destination features diverse restaurants gathered beneath distinctive brick arches, offering visitors a rich culinary experience. With Japanese, Western, Chinese, and ethnic cuisines available, it bustles with many people at any time of day.

In particular, there are many stylish restaurants and cafes, making it an ideal spot for dates and dining with friends. For example, at Schmatz Beer Hall, you can enjoy craft beer alongside modern German cuisine. Sausages and rotisserie chicken are especially popular here, and with different seasonal beers offered, you can discover new flavors with each visit.

DRA Stand/Uradora is a standing bar offering craft beer and Neapolitan pizza, a place where even solo visitors can casually stop by. Meanwhile, the hidden Italian bar “Uradora” offers special course meals in a calm atmosphere, making it perfect for dates.

■ Shimbashi Under-the-Tracks

Shimbashi Under-the-Tracks (Gado-shita) is a dining district that spreads beneath the railway arches of Shimbashi Station, famous for its concentration of standing bars and izakaya. This area is bustling with office workers gathering after work, where visitors can enjoy delicious food at affordable prices.

Particularly popular menu items include izakaya fare such as yakitori, kushiyaki (grilled skewers), and oden, with many establishments retaining a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. There is a wide range of choices under the Shimbashi arches. For example, “THE Akachochin” offers dishes like mixed grilled offal and ultra-fresh tuna sashimi, with both a standing-style first floor and seated-style second floor. “Makochan Gado-shita Sakaba” is known for its skewers like kashira (pork cheek) and butabo (pork sticks), and also features an open terrace.

“Shimbashi Gado-shita Yokocho,” which opened in 2018, is another new dining spot with 10 restaurants in a row, offering various cuisines including kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), jingisukan (Mongolian-style grilled lamb), and gyoza (dumplings). For example, “Kushikatsu Katsu” offers everything from standard kushikatsu to creative varieties, “Ozawa Bokujo Gyu-Maru” serves meat dishes like pound steak and beef harami tataki, and “Kyushu-zukushi Tsukushiya” offers Kyushu cuisine centered on yakitori, best enjoyed alongside shochu.

■ Ginza Ura Corridor

This is a dining district that extends under the railway arches between Shimbashi and Yurakucho stations. Recently renovated, this area has become popular as an adults’ playground where stylish restaurants and bars gather. Japanese cuisine, Western food, and bar-style restaurants are particularly numerous, with many establishments open until late at night. For example, “YuBAR,” themed after a traditional bathhouse, offers the unique experience of enjoying drinks while soaking in a foot bath. Additionally, there are many distinctive restaurants such as “Kyushu no Umakamon Umaka Shu Kusuo,” where you can enjoy Kyushu cuisine.

Conclusion

Shimbashi is a distinctive area where business and gourmet culture merge, and its diverse charm attracts visitors. With its rich historical background, Shimbashi has continued to evolve to the present day, providing a comfortable working environment for businesspeople and delicious food and enjoyment for tourists.

In particular, the various gourmet spots are one of Shimbashi’s greatest attractions. The everyday retro atmosphere of Shimbashi Nishiguchi-dori, the refined dining experience at the Hibiya Gourmet Zone, the vibrant izakaya under the Shimbashi arches, and the hidden bar and restaurant retreats of the Ginza Ura Corridor all offer visitors a wide range of options.

When visiting Shimbashi, please use this article as a reference to fully enjoy its many attractions. Whether savoring delicious meals between business meetings or experiencing history and culture, Shimbashi will provide you with diverse experiences that exceed your expectations.