Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

The center of commerce Chuo-ku There are many lively shopping streets in Japan.

Correspondents visit, see, and hear the shopping streets that are loved by the locals, prospered with the residents, and familiar to them. It conveys the lively charm and vitality, special information, etc. Chuo-ku This is the fifth installment of the correspondent's visit to the shopping district, which introduces the shopping association and shopping district.

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◎Correspondent Visit to Shopping Street (5th)◎

Make a further leap with tradition and innovation!

/ Tokyo Chuo Odorikai, located in the center of Chuo-ku

 

I visited the off-chair of the Matsuoka Building, one step from Chuo-dori, on the Tokyo Station side.
Hajime Matsuoka, chairman of the Tokyo Chuo Odorikai, asked for an interview.

I heard that you are 80 years old, but the chairman in front of you is still in your 60s and is so energetic that it is not strange!

 

Before I got into the subject, I asked you about the secrets of maintaining health.

"Walking" Move the station used for commuting by one station and get on and off. Walk more than 10,000 steps a day.

"Eat" a suitable meal for the year, for example, reduce meat to fish. They eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Reduce the amount of eating and increase the number of chewing (mastication).

"Exciting, thrilling" Always keep your feelings young and imagine a pounding.

 

It's something that anyone can do, but I thought the way to keep healthy is to have a young mental strength, a constant ambition, and an indomitable soul to move forward.　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

(In the garden in the president's office on the 8th floor)

 

 

Finally it's the main subject!

Question 1 When was the establishment of the Tokyo Chuo Odorikai?

　In order to rebuild and rebuild the Nihonbashi and Kyobashi areas, the name was changed to "Nikyo Federation" in December 1946 and was established with 153 members. The following year, in September 1947, Yaesu Odori was added, and the name was changed to "Tokyo Chuo Odorikai" with the renewal of the administration of Chuo Ward, and it is also a venerable association that has continued and commercial activities to this day.
　There are 31 shopping streets (associations) that are members of the Chuo-ku Shopping Association Federation (as of April 2010), large and small, but this association is a particularly top-class association with scale and vitality .

　After the war, there were many customers who came to shop at department stores such as Takashimaya, Shirakiya, and Mitsukoshi from Tokyo Station through Yaesu. For customers who were impressed by the joy of buying things, I also felt a lot of appeal to the specialty stores lined up on both sides of the road on the way back and forth of the department store. Retail stores such as Senbikiya, Inoue bag store, Ito shoe store, veneer, Matsuoka clothing store, etc. in Kyobashi were lined up. There were many shops based on daily life, such as baths, butchers, fish shops, etc. However, large buildings began to be built, and the number of retail stores was gradually decreasing, and the vigor of the past was disappearing.
　In order for this city to regain vitality and further develop, it is necessary to further strengthen cooperation among members and promote commerce.

Question 2 Where and where does the Tokyo Chuo Odorikai say?

　A company that has a store or office on the first floor in principle facing Chuo Odori (from Nihonbashi 1-chome to Kyobashi 3-chome, Chuo-ku) and Yaesu Odori (from Yaesu 1-chome to Nihonbashi 3-chome and Showa-dori at Kyobashi 1-chome). It is a place facing the "streak" (road) with characters, but this is considered as a "face" from Eitai-dori St. to Sotobori-dori St. to Kajibashi Street, and revitalizing the whole 5 years ago I have been singing as chairman.

Question 3 What are the events that the Tokyo Chuo Odori Association cooperates?

① Cooperation with Tokyo Hakone Roundtrip University Ekiden Race (Hakone Ekiden)

As a catalyst for regional revitalization, it was realized in 1999 as a result of working with many organizations on a campaign to make the Hakone Ekiden course via Nihonbashi.

 

② Participation and cooperation in the Nihonbashi Festival

"Nihonbashi" is held every Sunday at noon, near April 3, around Nihonbashi Hashizume Square.
We participate in and cooperate with the festival. In normal years, stamp rally, wagon sales, stalls and lotteries are the main events.
Next year, April 3 will be the 100th anniversary of the bridge, so we will fully participate in and cooperate with various events in order to increase the ability to attract local customers in the commemorative event that will be held grandly.

③ Participation and cooperation in the Tourism and Commerce Festival

The Chuo-ku Tourism and Commerce Festival is held for one month in October every year. The main event of the association will be held on Sunday, October 31 at the Nihonbashi Kyobashi Festival 'Tokyo Nihonbashi Parade', which is held every year jointly with Muromachi Odorikai. Other events include a sale with speed lottery, a sightseeing ambassador for Chuo-ku, and a Miss Central Contest.

 

④ Contribution to Local Communities

Cooperation in flower bed planting activities promoted by the NPO Hana Kaido, sponsorship of the Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival in August, a summer tradition, and support flags in line with the Tokyo Marathon hosted by Tokyo since 2006. Posting.

 

Question 4 Please tell the President's passion for the Tokyo Chuo Odori Association.

　In the Nihonbashi and Kyobashi areas, where many of the world's leading department stores and specialty stores are gathered, at that time, from the wife of the mountain to the young lady of the downtown area, they came to shop wearing kimono.
　 At present, however, there are no places to wear kimonos such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.
　Now is the time to revive the old joy of wearing kimonos in this Nihonbashi / Kyobashi area. Even though it is an old city, I would like to continue our activities to cherish the traditional culture of Japan and surely preserve it for future generations. To that end, I would like to consider measures not only for each company but also for the entire region, and create a city that suits the kimono.

The following:

I asked you to cover the prospect of about 30 minutes, but I was impressed by one of the gem words of the chairman, such as old hardship stories, successful stories, etc., just over an hour.
In a sense, I strongly felt the obligation we had to pass on the old story as the chairman's narrator to future generations. Thank you very much for the wonderful story.

 

 

The Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store was opened as an Echigo-ya, a kimono dealer in the Edo period, but in 1904, it became the first department store in Japan to declare the Department Store.

The current building incorporating Renaissance architecture was completed in 1935 (1935).

In 1999 (1999), it was selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a "Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Building".

It is also famous for the Lion Pipe Organ Mitsukoshi Theater, but I was always concerned about the "Tenjo Statue" in the central hall.

Here are some pillars containing ammonite fossils.

                   

                                

Statue of Godo

                This is an image that symbolically expresses the basic philosophy of our customers, true heart.

　　　　　　　It is a masterpiece completed by master craftsman Gengen Sato over about 10 years.

　　　　　　　It was erected in 1960 in the central hall on the first floor of the main store to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its founding.

　　　　　　　It is the moment when a heavenly woman wrapped in Zuiun descends on the flower core.　　

　　　　　　　The whole picture was thought to you well, and only the center of the statue was large.　　　         

 

                

Ammonite

　　　The interior, which uses a lot of marble, contains many fossils of various sizes from the dinosaur era.

　　　It is called Ann Mogai and Kikuishi that are trapped inside.

　　　It can be found here and there, such as pillars and walls in the Mitsukoshi Main Store.

　　　                       

 

 

 

Saruya-san, a long-established toothpick specialty store that is not to mention.

It's often featured in magazines and television, so many people know it.

Since it was founded in the first year of Hoei (1704), it has a history of more than 300 years.

 

It is a long-established store, and the inside of the store is like a museum. Short toothpicks also have a long history. 

When it comes to toothpicks, my uncle said, "No, I ate it" at lunch break.

I think of what is stuck in my mouth while rubbing my stomach, but I think of it

No, it's ridiculous! The toothpick was introduced to Japan during the Heian and Kamakura periods.

It is said that it is a refreshing "buddha utensils" born in India.

 

Saruya's toothpick is made of high-quality black letters, and craftsmen carefully one by one.

I'm making it with a sword. The scent of the bark is my life, so it always comes with skin.

    

(Left) The 1,000 boxes of paulownia are used for celebrations and New Year's greetings. I also bought the Chinese zodiac tiger thing in the New Year.

(Middle) Small items such as sewing sets and guard bags are also available.

(Left) Cute toothpick holder

My favorite is the tsuji toothpick here. The paper is wrapped one by one.

If you spread it out, you will find the capital of love. Some of the best people such as Hanayagikai and restaurants

I can't even nodd it.

 

"Uncles during lunch break" can also use Saruya's toothpick.

You can enjoy the feeling of "Edo's smart husband"~.

 

 

 

　Sakamoto Ryoma fans gather at NHK's Taiga drama series in front of Chuo-ku government office!

In the foreground is a tour visitor who sees the explanation of the ruins of the Tosa clan residence. A travel agency called "Travel Japan"

Tour guests and trainees of the Tokyo City Guide Club called tcgc in the back.　

　In front of the explanation board of the "Warship Training Center Ruins" in front of Tsukiji Market.

I encountered a tour of "Chuo-ku Street Guide Association". Well, it's exciting at Ryoma.

　At the park at Kyobashi Plaza, he explained "Clams Riverside".

 

　Avid explanation in front of the explanation board in front of Kajibashi, where there was a small Chiba dojo.

 

　Explanation of "Nagasakiya Ruins" in front of Shin-Nihonbashi Station. The training seems to be fun.

　19-year-old Sakamoto Ryoma came to Edo to practice swordsmanship, what he learned, love with Sanako, at the age of 33.

Let's walk in Chuo-ku while thinking about the youth who ran before death and the hardships of national affairs.

　When it's finished, launch in Chuo-ku!　　It's delicious!