Fukutoku Shrine is an ancient shrine with a history of over 1,000 years, said to have been established during the Jogan era (859-877), which was in the early Heian period.

At the time, the area around Muromachi 2-chome in Nihonbashi was a rural area called Fukutoku Village, Toshima County, Musashi Province (or Fukutoku, Noguchi Village, Toshima County), dotted with farmers and fishermen. Originally known as "Inari Shrine," it was later renamed "Fukutoku Inari" after the name of the village, and has been loved by the people as the guardian deity of the area.

During the Edo period, it was one of the first shrines that Tokugawa Ieyasu visited when he entered Edo, and it has been revered by successive Shoguns ever since. When the second Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, visited the shrine, he saw young spring buds sprouting on the torii gate, and praised it, saying, "Fukutoku is truly an auspicious title for a god," and it was given the name "Mebuki Inari."

In 1847, the name was changed from Fukutoku Inari to Fukutoku Shrine, but the common name Mebuki Inari is still used today, and it continues to give hope to many people as a symbol of new beginnings and rebirth.

Fukutoku Shrine is also known as one of the few shrines authorized by the Edo Shogunate to sell "tomikuji" (the prototype of today's lottery tickets), and has been bustling with visitors since its days as a place of blessings for improving financial fortunes.

However, Fukutoku Shrine's journey has not been smooth. As Nihonbashi developed, transforming from a peaceful rural area filled with fields and forests into a center of commerce and logistics, the shrine grounds shrank.

The shrine was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II, and after the war it was quietly enshrined on the roof of a building.

A turning point came for Fukutoku Shrine with the redevelopment plan for Nihonbashi. In October 2014, a new shrine building was completed in its current location, adjacent to COREDO Muromachi, marking the shrine's revitalization.

Highlights of Fukutoku Shrine

Refined shrine building
The shrine building, which was rebuilt in 2014, has a refreshing yet majestic appearance, with its plain wood construction harmonizing with the copper roof. It contrasts beautifully with the city's buildings, and is LightUp at night, creating a mystical atmosphere.

Good fortune and winnings
Due to its history as a lottery spot in the Edo period, it is also popular as a power spot for financial luck. In front of the shrine, there is a "lucky bell" where visitors are constantly seen placing their lottery tickets or smartphones for ticket applications, ringing the bell and praying for winning. In recent years, it has also become known as a sacred place for "oshikatsu," people who visit in hopes of winning tickets to concerts and plays.

Benefits of beginnings and rebirth
As the shrine is also known as "Mebuki Inari," it is said to grant blessings for new beginnings and rebirth. Many people visit to pray for success when starting something new, and also for finding love and achieving success in love, as love "sprouts."

Although it is located in the middle of the city, it is a tranquil space surrounded by the lush greenery Fukutoku Garden. Take a break on a bench between shopping or work, and enjoy the seasonal flowers and history.

Nihonbashi, which spans the center of Tokyo, is more than just a bridge. For over 400 years, it has been at the heart of Japan, witnessing its economic and cultural development. It is truly the starting point of Japan's roads, and is a special place that has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The history of Nihonbashi began in 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate, and the first wooden bridge was built there. The following year, the construction of five major roads - the Tokaido, Nakasendo, Nikko Kaido, Oshu Kaido, and Koshu Kaido - began from here, and Nihonbashi became the real and real center of land transportation for Edo and Japan.

People and goods gathered from all over the country, and the fish market and shops lined the foot of the bridge, making it the busiest place in Edo. However, because it was made of wood, it suffered from fires many times throughout the Edo period, and each time it had to be rebuilt.

After the Meiji Restoration, the current massive double-arch stone bridge made of granite was completed in 1911. Now in its 20th generation, its historical and artistic value has been recognized, and in 1999 it became the first road bridge to be designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

When talking about Nihonbashi, it is essential to mention the Metropolitan Expressway that runs above the bridge. Built ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it supported Japan's rapid economic growth, but at the same time, it also marred the beautiful scenery of the famous bridge.

However, the Metropolitan Expressway Nihonbashi Section Underground Project is currently underway, with the expressway being relocated underground. Construction of the underground tunnel is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the underground route opening in 2035. The viaduct above Nihonbashi is scheduled to be completely removed in 2040, returning blue skies to Nihonbashi for the first time in approximately 80 years.

Highlights of Nihonbashi

Kirin statue
The pair of bronze kirin statues enshrined in the center of the bridge symbolize the prosperity of Tokyo. They have wings, which the original kirin does not have, and represent the hope of leaping forward into the future.

Lion statue
On the four pillars at the four corners of the bridge, lion statues bearing the Tokyo City crest of the time are glaring in all four directions. They symbolize the "protection" of Tokyo, and their powerful presence enhances the dignity of the bridge.

Bridge plaque
The characters "Nihonbashi" and "Nihonhashi" written on the bridge plaques at both ends were actually written by Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo shogunate.

Japan Road Origin Marker
Embedded in the road surface in the center of the bridge is the "Japan National Highway Origin Marker," which marks the starting point of the national highway that leads to the entire country. Due to the heavy traffic, it is difficult to see it directly, but an elaborate replica has been installed at the "Origin Marker Square" at the northwest foot of the bridge, where anyone can get a close look.

Mitsukoshi's roots go back to Echigoya, a kimono shop opened in Nihonbashi by Ise merchant Mitsui Takatoshi in 1673. With its revolutionary business methods of "sales in advance of the store" and "no markup on cash," Mitsukoshi gained immense support from the common people of Edo.

As the Meiji era began and people's LIFE changed with the wave of Westernization, the company changed its name to Mitsukoshi Kimono Store Co., Ltd. in 1904 and declared itself a department store. This marked a major turning point in the history of Japanese retailing, as it broke away from the traditional kimono store and was reborn as a modern department store displaying and selling a wide variety of products.

The new building was then completed in 1914. It was a five-story building using the latest steel curtain wall construction at the time, and was equipped with the latest equipment, including Japan's first escalators, elevators, sprinklers, heating and ventilation, and a succession of groundbreaking Services were introduced, including display sales and show windows.

At the time, Nihonbashi area was a vibrant streetscape filled with trains and automobiles, and Western-style architecture lined the streets, including banks, trading companies, theaters, and cafes. The wooden Nihonbashi was also replaced with the stone one we see today. The opening of the new Mitsukoshi building was an event symbolizing Tokyo as a modern city, and it impressed upon people that department stores were not just retail stores, but cultural and social facilities.

After that, the building was expanded and remodeled repeatedly while incorporating the latest designs, and the prototype for the current Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store was completed in 1935. It took six years to build, and at the time of its completion it was the third largest building after the National Diet Building and Maru Building.

It boasts magnificent Renaissance-style architecture and was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2016. Once you step inside, you'll find yourself in a space that feels more like an art museum than just a department store.

Highlights of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store

Lion statue
The pair of lion statues that welcome guests at the main entrance have been a symbol since 1914. They were cast in the UK based on the lions in Trafalgar Square in London. The imposing entrance is also a sight to behold.

Central Hall: Magokoro Statue
The grand five-story Central Hall is decorated with marble columns and ornate ornaments, and in the center stands a towering 10-meter-tall celestial maiden statue. Completed in 1960 by sculptor Gengen Sato, this masterpiece took about 10 years to complete, and embodies Mitsukoshi's fundamental philosophy of "sincerity."

Pipe organ
On the second floor balcony of the central hall, there is a pipe organ that was imported from the United States in 1930. Performances are held at regular intervals, mainly on weekends, and its deep, beautiful tone adds to the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant.
Pipe organ performance schedule

Mitsukoshi Theater
On the 6th floor of the main building is the Mitsukoshi Theater, where plays and rakugo performances are still held today. Opened in 1927 as a theater inside a department store, the theater is the first of its kind in the world, and its gorgeous Rococo-style decorations have been preserved in the same condition as when it first opened.

Nihonbashi has a deep charm, backed by a history of tradition and innovation. In recent years, under the concept of "preserving, revitalizing, and creating" by Mitsui Fudosan, the public, private, and local communities have come together to develop Nihonbashi area.

Nihonbashi | Mitsui Fudosan's Urban Development | Business Overview | Mitsui Fudosan

Why not take a tour of each of these famous spots while thinking about the depth of time that this city has nurtured and its future potential?

In the second part, we will introduce the Bank of Japan Head Office, the Currency Museum, the Mitsui Memorial Museum, and COREDO Muromachi, as well as the currently popular Murohon Area and NIHONBASHI RIVER WALK MUSEUM. Don't miss it!

COREDO Muromachi 1 is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. To show our appreciation for the journey we've had with our customers, we're offering special anniversary menus and special Services.

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