Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Every year, at the end of Christmas, the city enters New Year's mode at once.

Here in the Nihonbashi area, the day after Christmas, Kadomatsu decorations were prepared.

Kadomatsu was originally a New Year's decoration that meant to welcome Toshigami to the house, and since ancient times it was thought that gods dwell on treetops, pine and bamboo have been used.

There are two ways to cut bamboo: "square" () cut right next to the bamboo and "sagi" () cut diagonally.

In particular, "Sogi" is interesting because there is a "laughing mouth" where the bamboo nodes on the cut surface can be seen as the mouth where people are laughing depending on how they are cut.

In addition, there are many pine decorations () that combine bamboo that reaches the second floor with leaves attached and pine trees, and this was also ready.

The difference between pine decorations also made me feel the history of the long-established and company in Nihonbashi, and it was interesting to imagine the history and "Ire" in each of them.

 Currently, champagne gold is illuminated at Mitsui Main Building / Mitsui Tower in the Nihonbashi area, and illuminations (Modern EDO KIRIKO) with the motif of "Edo Kiriko" are being developed at Cored Muromachi Tower Dining Co., Ltd. (Producted for a limited time on December 19th.

Venue: Cored Muromachi 1-2 front (Edo Sakura-dori St., Ukiyokoji),

　　　 In front of Fukutoku Shrine (Ukiyo Path)

Period From December 19 to February 15, 2015

"Bamboo lights" are handmade one by one using green bamboo, with patterns of snow and cone, which are traditional Japanese beauty. I heard that the concept of circulating used bamboo (returning it into bamboo charcoal or compost to the earth) is suitable for an eco-friendly city Nihonbashi, so it was adopted for the first time.

Gentle and warm "light" and "shadow" create a fantastic atmosphere and add color to the roadside.

The Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies "Monetary Museum" is located in a branch that separates the street next to the Bank of Japan head office behind Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi.

http://www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm/

Not only ancient Japanese currency and materials, but also rare foreign currency are collected and displayed.

 
How much does one of the Edo period correspond to in modern times? In addition to comparisons with the prices of goods at that time, there are explanations that allow you to understand the value of money based on social and economic mechanisms, agricultural products' crops and regional differences, and devise ways to study economic society. It has been done.

In addition to displaying real objects and materials, you can actually feel the feel and weight by touching them, and there are also hands-on booths where you can use a loupe to examine precision counterfeiting prevention technology.

In addition to the origin of the yen and the history of Japanese currency, the rare foreign currency and banknotes are also a must-see.

The entrance fee is as expected, the Bank of Japan is free and hungry, but it will be closed for renewal work within the year.
The museum is scheduled to be closed until November next year.
During the year, it is open until December 28 (Sun), except on Monday closed days. From 9:30 to 16:30

Photography is prohibited in the hall, so the image on this blog is reprinted from the pamphlet & website.

In addition, the Bank of Japan has a tour where you can explain its history and business while visiting the main building and the new building, which were built in 1896 and designated as a national important cultural property.
This is a reservation required four times a day, and the required time is one hour.

For more information, please visit the website https://www.boj.or.jp/about/services/kengaku.htm/

 Yaesu Underground Shopping Center, commonly known as Yae Chika, spreads under Sotobori-dori St. in front of Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station and under Yaesu Street.

Directly connected to the Daimaru Tokyo store "Hoppo Town", Tokyo Station Development (JR Central), "Tokyo Station Ichibangai", and the Railway Hall (JR East) "Grand Roof Front <Old Kirapika Street>, Granage and Black Fence Yokocho". The sales floor area is one of the largest shopping malls not only in Tokyo but also in Japan.

This underground shopping mall was originally built in line with the maintenance of public parking lots at the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station, completed in 1969.

Originally, the area around Yaesu is a commercial area that borders Nihonbashi and Kyobashi, and was crowded with people.

Compared to the Marunouchi side, which has been redeveloped as one of Japan's leading office districts and has been spotlighted, it was undeniable that the impression was slightly lessened, but in recent years redevelopment plans have been promoted in the Nihonbashi and Kyobashi areas, and a new flow of people seems to be being created.

At Yaesu Underground Shopping Center, the annual Christmas Festa 2014 is being held from November 26 to December 25.

A lottery place is set up on the main Avenue, and a large lottery is held where you can draw once every 3,000 yen for shopping and eating and drinking.

Also, from December 19th to 24th, twice from 12:30 to 15:00, Flute Women's Club will have a classical music and various genres of "Christmas Music Live".

At the Yaesu Exit, the Grand Roof, which consists of a large roof, a pedestrian deck, and commercial facilities, was completed last year.

The station square has also been improved, and the dress has been renewed.

On December 1st, illuminations based on the concept of "TOKYO COLORS" are lit on the Grand Roof, which is celebrating its second year.

(From 17:00 to 23:00 until February 14, 2015)

I hear that it expresses the hope of the visitors for the future and the bright future of Tokyo by creating a production that images the future, such as changes in light incorporating the flow of the blowing wind.

  Today, we showed those who are lost to the jewelry store Ando Shiho store.
When I saw the new work of the shop, I was informed of Duty Free.

If you ask a kind clerk, if the tax-excluded price of the product is 10,801 yen or more, you will be exempt from consumption tax if you follow the prescribed procedures such as presenting your passport.
This is good news for foreign customers.
Click here for the website of Ando Shiho store. http://www.ando-shippo.co.jp/
　
Therefore, for foreign customers, we examined the tax exemption efforts at shops in the Ginza and Nihonbashi districts.
　
At the store in Ginza, Motoki, a Western clothing store, was also informed of duty-free.
http://www.ginza-motoki.co.jp/duty-free/
　
LAOX is responding to the growing number of customers from China.
We strive to serve customers by assigning employees who are fluent in foreign languages and installing automatic foreign currency exchange machines.
http://www.laox.co.jp/
　
For more information, please refer to the following URL.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Consumers/Isetan-Mitsukoshi-to-offer-duty-free-shopping-in-Tokyo
　
You can check Mr. Takashimaya's response here.
http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/tokyo/store_information/
　
The number of foreign visitors to Japan from foreign countries will exceed 11 million from January to October 2014, and 13 million tourists to Japan are expected by the end of March next year.
We also felt that we had to study the tax exemption system for foreign customers and friends with hospitality.　Silver

 On November 28, the illuminations of "Nihonbashi Sakura-dori St." (Sotobori-dori St.-Showa-dori), "Yaesu Nakadori" (Eitai-dori St.-Yaesu-dori), and "Yaesu Center Building Open Space" are lit.

Lighting period: November 28-February 14

Lighting time: 16:30～23:00

This year's theme is "GATE".

"Sakura-dori St.", which leads from Tokyo Station to Edo Nihonbashi, expresses the "gate of light" and focuses on "Yaesu / Nihonbashi", which connects the past, present, and future, and thinks about the historic city.

　１．Sakura-dori St. Illumination

　　　The cherry trees facing each intersection are white LEDs (44,000 bulbs)

　　　The cherry tree between each intersection uses champagne gold LEDs (110,000 bulbs)

　２．Nakadori Illumination

　　　Symbol illumination of Edo Kiriko

　３．Square in front of the Yaesu Center Building

　　　A triangular pillar with lights inside

　　　On the surface is Edo Kiriko's "Hemp leaf cutter pattern"

The area from Yaesu to Nihonbashi is undergoing a transformation every day, but I heard that it was adopted as the main visual because of the desire to learn from Edo Kiriko, "It is important that old and new things be integrated and developed."