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Japanese Tradition Meets International Trends: COREDO Muromachi Terrace in Tokyo
If you've visited the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo in the last decade or so, chances are that you've been to one of the three COREDO Muromachi department stores. These modern yet traditional complexes brought to the district a unique mix of old and new, revitalizing the tradition of Tokyo's ancient commerce hub while bringing a new wave of novelty to the area.
COREDO Muromachi 1, 2, and 3 were developed by the real estate colossus Mitsui Fudosan starting in 2004. "Modern traditional" are the words that come to my mind when I look at these buildings. They managed to incorporate classic Japanese design and philosophies into a cutting-edge shopping complex, where century-old green tea shops coexist with the latest fashion brand stores.
September 27, 2019 celebrated the opening of a forth complex, the COREDO Muromachi Terrace. With a green, open exterior and the same aesthetic style it makes for a worthy addition to its three predecessors.
Here's a peek inside the brand new department store.
With the theme of "Books, and Everything in Between" the Taiwanese store has gained recognition worldwide as one of the “14 coolest Department Stores in the world” (CNN, 2016) and “Asia’s best bookstore” (Time Magazine, 2004).
The Nihonbashi branch occupies a good part of the second floor in COREDO Muromachi Terrace. There are four main areas: books, stationery, workshop and food. Offering selected goods from many Taiwanese brands as well as products from Japan and overseas, the store aims at being a base for cultural and creative experiences while tying into the everyday life of Nihonbashi.
Minamiaso Tea House, from the Minamiaso Town in Kumamoto Prefecture specializes in herb teas. They make their own original blends with both locally grown and imported herbs from all over the world.
On my visit I grabbed a pack of their 26 herbs blend! It includes roasted green tea, goji berry, licorice, and ginkgo.
The big red noren curtain with an image of a fox marks the entrance to Dashiinari Kaiboku. This exclusive store sells inari zushi, fried tofu skin with a filling of rice. Their original version is called "dashi inari" because it's soaked in dashi broth. The shop originates from a traditional Japanese restaurant in Fukuoka Prefecture that was serving this as the last dish of their course meals. People really liked it and it became so popular that the owner decided to open a specialized shop just for the dashi inari.
You'll be lucky to get one before they inevitably sell out each day, but if you do you won't regret it.
Right next to Kaiboku is the Japanese Department Store Nihonbashi, a paradise of Japanese food, drinks and knick-knacks. If you're a fan of Japanese snacks and adorable packaging, look no further. From the retro Showa Era look to the kawaii style, it's worth getting some of this stuff for the packaging alone. They stock local products from all over Japan. When I was there I tried some luxurious "Cream Honey" from Ehime Prefecture.
This looks like the perfect place to get some presents for my friends back home, but I'm not sure they would even make it to my apartment!
The infamous Metropolitan Expressway was built over the bridge before the 1964 Olympics tainting the view of the district's iconic place. Now largely taken over by skyscrapers and busy businessmen, Nihonbashi might have lost some of its original splendor.
But there seems to be hope. The “Nihonbashi Revitalization Plan” started in 2004 with the opening of the first COREDO Nihonbashi, giving the district a chance to shine again. I was really glad when I heard that the plan includes a project to relocate the Metropolitan Expressway underground!
In the past few years many events have been organized in Nihonbashi, to promote the area and help give it a new image.
A beautiful event themed around Japanese summer and goldfish, ECO EDO Nihonbashi is held every year from July to September.
ECO EDO Nihonbashi 2019
ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium
An autumn event that promotes Japanese culture, design, entertainment and food under a modern light. In 2019 it was held from September 27 to November 20.
NIHONBASHI MEGURU FES 2019 (Japanese)
Check out all Nihonbashi events and information here.
Address: 3-2-1 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Hours: shops 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (varies depending on the store) restaurants 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Access: Direct connection with Exit A8 of Mitsukoshimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Ginza lines. Direct connection with Shin-Nihombashi Station on the JR Sobu Line (rapid)
Website: COREDO Muromachi
*The above article is based on information from October 2019.
*Business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
About the Author
Laura is an Italian living and working in Tokyo. She loves exploring hidden and unknown places, taking pictures and listening to Punk Rock music. When she’s not busy doing the above, she might enjoy a craft beer or play the sanshin (an Okinawan instrument similar to a shamisen).
COREDO Muromachi 1, 2, and 3 were developed by the real estate colossus Mitsui Fudosan starting in 2004. "Modern traditional" are the words that come to my mind when I look at these buildings. They managed to incorporate classic Japanese design and philosophies into a cutting-edge shopping complex, where century-old green tea shops coexist with the latest fashion brand stores.
September 27, 2019 celebrated the opening of a forth complex, the COREDO Muromachi Terrace. With a green, open exterior and the same aesthetic style it makes for a worthy addition to its three predecessors.
Here's a peek inside the brand new department store.
A World Sensation from Taiwan: Seihin Seikatsu
One of the most anticipated stores to open in the youngest of the COREDOs is Japan's first branch of the Taiwanese book and lifestyle store Eslite. In Japan it opened under the name Seihin Seikatsu (誠品生活).With the theme of "Books, and Everything in Between" the Taiwanese store has gained recognition worldwide as one of the “14 coolest Department Stores in the world” (CNN, 2016) and “Asia’s best bookstore” (Time Magazine, 2004).
The Nihonbashi branch occupies a good part of the second floor in COREDO Muromachi Terrace. There are four main areas: books, stationery, workshop and food. Offering selected goods from many Taiwanese brands as well as products from Japan and overseas, the store aims at being a base for cultural and creative experiences while tying into the everyday life of Nihonbashi.
The largest section is dedicated to books
A lot of cute Taiwanese products and cool stationery
The "Cooking Studio" where people can learn authentic Taiwanese and Japanese recipes. Western food is also coming soon.
The glassblowing workshop is also part of Seihin Seikatsu
Japanese Goodness Galore!
Other shops on the second floor include handmade goods, cosmetics, jewelry and cafes. The first floor is packed with all kinds of restaurants, from traditional Japanese cuisine like sushi and soba to international choices like pizza, chocolate and craft beer. Also here are several interesting shops from all around Japan.Minamiaso Tea House, from the Minamiaso Town in Kumamoto Prefecture specializes in herb teas. They make their own original blends with both locally grown and imported herbs from all over the world.
On my visit I grabbed a pack of their 26 herbs blend! It includes roasted green tea, goji berry, licorice, and ginkgo.
The big red noren curtain with an image of a fox marks the entrance to Dashiinari Kaiboku. This exclusive store sells inari zushi, fried tofu skin with a filling of rice. Their original version is called "dashi inari" because it's soaked in dashi broth. The shop originates from a traditional Japanese restaurant in Fukuoka Prefecture that was serving this as the last dish of their course meals. People really liked it and it became so popular that the owner decided to open a specialized shop just for the dashi inari.
You'll be lucky to get one before they inevitably sell out each day, but if you do you won't regret it.
Right next to Kaiboku is the Japanese Department Store Nihonbashi, a paradise of Japanese food, drinks and knick-knacks. If you're a fan of Japanese snacks and adorable packaging, look no further. From the retro Showa Era look to the kawaii style, it's worth getting some of this stuff for the packaging alone. They stock local products from all over Japan. When I was there I tried some luxurious "Cream Honey" from Ehime Prefecture.
This looks like the perfect place to get some presents for my friends back home, but I'm not sure they would even make it to my apartment!
Nihonbashi Is Looking to a Bright Future
The district of Nihonbashi used to be the bustling center of Tokyo's business and culture back in the Edo Period (1603-1868). It is mainly known for the bridge with the same name, from which all distances to the capital were measured. Japan's largest fish market also used to be here before it was relocated to Tsukiji and recently Toyosu. Many of Tokyo and Japan's most ancient and renowned establishments are based in Nihonbashi.The Nihonbashi Bridge
The infamous Metropolitan Expressway was built over the bridge before the 1964 Olympics tainting the view of the district's iconic place. Now largely taken over by skyscrapers and busy businessmen, Nihonbashi might have lost some of its original splendor.
But there seems to be hope. The “Nihonbashi Revitalization Plan” started in 2004 with the opening of the first COREDO Nihonbashi, giving the district a chance to shine again. I was really glad when I heard that the plan includes a project to relocate the Metropolitan Expressway underground!
In the past few years many events have been organized in Nihonbashi, to promote the area and help give it a new image.
ECO EDO Nihonbashi
ECO EDO Nihonbashi 2019
ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium
 |
■Read more about ECO EDO Nihonbashi on DiGJAPAN! ◇Enjoy the Summer Edo-Style at ECO EDO Nihonbashi |
NIHONBASHI MEGURU FES
NIHONBASHI MEGURU FES 2019 (Japanese)
Check out all Nihonbashi events and information here.
Another Great Addition to the Ever-Evolving Nihonbashi
If you're visiting Tokyo, I definitely recommend taking a trip to Nihonbashi. Check out all the COREDO Muromachi department stores, walk around the area, visit the nearby Fukutoku Shrine. You'll find plenty of old and new treasures.Information
COREDO Muromachi Terrace | コレド室町テラスAddress: 3-2-1 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Hours: shops 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (varies depending on the store) restaurants 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Access: Direct connection with Exit A8 of Mitsukoshimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Ginza lines. Direct connection with Shin-Nihombashi Station on the JR Sobu Line (rapid)
Website: COREDO Muromachi
*The above article is based on information from October 2019.
*Business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
About the Author
Laura is an Italian living and working in Tokyo. She loves exploring hidden and unknown places, taking pictures and listening to Punk Rock music. When she’s not busy doing the above, she might enjoy a craft beer or play the sanshin (an Okinawan instrument similar to a shamisen).
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 11 20,2019 Author：DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team
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