A short subway ride from Takebashi, Nihonbashi is transforming. Across Chuo-dori from Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store ( photo upper left) in the Muromachi East district, large complexes "COREDO Muromachi 3" ( photo upper front right) and farther back "COREDO Muromachi 2" open March 20.
This area is "Mitsui Village" to Marunouchi's "Mitsubishi Village." Since Mitsui Takatoshi opened a kimono shop in 1673 (later Echigoya, Mitsukoshi's predecessor), it has been Mitsui's base; the Important Cultural Property Mitsui Main Building (1929) still stands.
Mitsui Fudosan pushes "Nihonbashi Revitalization" to restore bustle and add charm. 2004: COREDO Nihonbashi on old Tokyu site; 2005: Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower landmark beside Mitsui Main. 2010: COREDO Muromachi opposite Mitsui Main ( photo upper second building from front right); now COREDO Muromachi 2 linked by skybridge east of Muromachi (behind Chuo-dori) ( photo lower left: Muromachi, right: Muromachi 2), and Muromachi 3 south along Chuo-dori. Redevelopment north of Nihonbashi Takashimaya continues
as well.
The two new buildings host 68 shops—famous katsuobushi restaurant, Hokkaido oyster specialist, dining, goods, fashion nationwide. Muromachi 2 adds a 9-screen cinema. Many eateries open late—changing Nihonbashi's early-night image to draw youth. Personally I regret a bank on Muromachi 3's 1F—closes at 3 p.m., evening feels shuttered; local shopping streets struggle with this. The bank is a landowner co-developer, so unavoidable—but some gesture not to dampen bustle would help...
Setting that aside, Nakadori east one block off Chuo-dori gets cobblestones; Edo Sakura-dori crossing at right angles will be cherry-lined.