On a weekday when the weather was nice and I suddenly had some free time, I went for a walk and happened to find a sign for renting bicycles, which led me to go pottering.
This is a report of my pottering trip, renting a bicycle at a store called CITAN in Ningyocho(Chuo-ku,Tokyo)
About Nihonbashi Ningyocho area
Unlike Marunouchi and Nihonbashi areas, the area around Bakuroyokoyama and Kodenmacho stations is a bit of a retro area with old-fashioned wholesale stores and restaurants.
Modern cafés and unique general stores are opening one after another in this retro area, creating an appealing blend of old and new.
About the shop, CITAN
CITAN is one of the most stylish shops in the area.
It is located on the corner of Edo Avenue a little to the south, and its open and stylish design makes it easy to find even if you are visiting for the first time.
During lunch time, kitchen cars come to the front of the restaurant, and you can often see office workers from the neighborhood lining up.
The store had an open design, and a variety of people seemed to be relaxing freely, some enjoying coffee outside, some working at their tables or having meetings inside, some enjoying afternoon tea time, and some looking like travelers.
The room is an atrium, and there is a sofa space in the basement. The atmosphere is original and very stylish, with some people from overseas.
| 【CHITAN】 Hostel, Café in Higashi-Nihonbashi and Bakuro Yokoyama Address: 15-2 Nihonbashi Odenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-6661-7559Opening Business hours: BERTH COFFEE 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m./BAR &DINING 6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.（L.O 11:30 p.m.） Website: https://backpackersjapan.co.jp/citan/en |
Map
About the bike rental at CITAN
Entering the shop, I found tokyobikes neatly lined up.
When I asked the staff, they told me that I could rent a bike on the spot without reservation.
| 【Bicycle rental information】 Fee: 200 yen per hour / 1,500 yen per day If you want to rent a bike for more than one hour, the fee is calculated at 200 yen per hour. Rental hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Type: cross bike (green)/road bike (blue) |
Rental flow
①Fill out a simple application form at the reception desk and show your ID to confirm your identity.
②Decide the time you want to rent. The fee is paid afterwards and there is no deposit.
③Choose the bike you want to rent. The clerk gave me some advice when I was wavering between two cute bicycles.
④Adjusting the saddle and explaining how to use the key. The clerk took good care of me and I could depart without worry.
Start pottering
The clerk said, “See you later,” and I departed.
Since I departed without any plans, I decided just to follow my own interests.
It was more comfortable than I thought it would be, and I could go faster than walking, so it felt great!
The temperature was still cold in late January, but it was warm and comfortable under the sunlight.
The cross bike was easy to ride even with a skirt, and the handlebars felt comfortable to grip.
More than anything, just the fact that I was riding a stylish bike made me excited.
Looking for houseplants at TOKY
The first thingI found was this stylish store.
From the outside, you can see stylish flower pots and houseplants lined up.
I was just looking for some greenery for my room, so I entered the store right away.
I usually walk around this area a lot, but I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed how many nice stores there were.
If I were on foot, I wouldn’t go into an alleyway whichI didn’t know, because it would be a hassle to turn around. But with a bicycle, I can move forward easily and explore the city actively.
I was excited to discover new sights that I hadn’t seen before, even though they were so close by.
Inside the shop, there were many pots of various designs.
They were all wonderful and I couldn’t decide which one to choose. In the end, I didn’t make any purchases that day because I had plans for later, but I noted the shop’s information in my notebook so that I would definitely come back on the weekend.
| 【TOKY】 A store selling original and select pots with high design quality. Address : Kosugi Building 1F, 4-12 Hisamatsucho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3527-3823 (may not be able to answer when in serving customers.) Business_hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 12:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. , Sat, Holiday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Closed: Thu, Sun(subject to change due to stock availability) Website: https://www.toky.jp/shop |
Map
Commemorative photo at Meijiza
As I was leaving TOYK and heading towards Skytree, I came in front of Meijiza(theater).
I took a photo of the bike and Meijiza and posted it on SNS.
The combination of the stylish tokyobike and the colorful flag of Meijiza is fresh.
Map
If you want to stop by Meijiza, there is a bicycle parking lot at the nearest Hamacho Station.
| 【Chuo-ku Hamacho-park-shita bicycle parking lot】 Address: 2-59-4, Hamacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Fee: Free for 2 hours, 100 yen for every 8 hours thereafter Hours of operation: 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Chuo-ku Website: https://www.city.chuo.lg.jp/sisetugaido/tyusyazyo/kurituzitensya.html |
Strolling around Amazake Yokocho
At this time, Meijiza was performing “Sazae-san” by Norika Fujiwara, one of the most famous Japanese actresses, and I saw people entering the theater.
Dreaming that I would like to live a life where I could enjoy a play at Meijiza with elegance when I matured a little more, I continued on my way south.
From Meijiza, I turned toward Tokyo Station and went to Amazake Yokocho.
Map
Finding a nice general shop
| 【MUCCO】 A cute modern Japanese stationery and sundry goods store. Address: 2-4-3 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Business hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tel: 03-3662-6813 Website: http://mucco.jp/ |
Map
After enjoying the general shop for a bit, I went to explore the streets of Ningyocho area that I had never been to before.
Stopped by No Reservations
This restaurant is famous for being frequented by Tomio Umezawa, a popular Japanese TV personality. Inside, I saw people enjoying their meal.
When I looked at the menu, I couldn’t help but notice the “Kansai-style okonomiyaki for 1,200 yen,” which I couldn’t imagine from the atmosphere of the restaurant. I would like to come here next time with my friends, so I checked this out in my notebook.
Map
| 【No Reservations】 Multinational Cuisine Restaurant Address: 1-5-12 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Business hours: Dinner 5:00 p.m. – Midnight / Bar 6:00 p.m. – Midnight Closed: No regular holidays Website: https://no1512.com/ |
As I was cycling comfortably, I remembered a place that I wanted to visit but it was a little too far away, so I decided to go there.
Visiting Koami Shrine
Koami Shrine is known as “the strongest power spot in downtown Tokyo,” and I once saw on a TV program that Ryota Yamasato of Nankai Candies (a Japanese two-person comic duo) also visited there.
Since it was noon on a weekday, I thought it would not be crowded, so I quickly checked Google Maps and went there.
Unfortunately, contrary to my expectation, there was a long line. The fact that there were so many people coming to the shrine suggests that there is a lot of blessing.
Map
| 【Koami Shrine】 God of good luck and warding off evil, Tokyo Zeniarai Benten no Mori Address: 16-23, Koamicho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3668-1080 Website: https://www.koamijinja.or.jp/ |
After going this far, I wanted to take a break, so I headed to CITAN earlier than my return time.
It’s fun to ride on roads I’ve never been on before. I’m going back to check out various stores that I’d like to come back to.
Visiting CLASSICS THE SMALL LUXURY
I visited this building, which has a nice gold and stylish design, and the handkerchiefs on display had been attracting me for a while.
| 【CLASSICS THE SMALL LUXURY】 A specialty store for handkerchiefs Address: 3-4-5 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo -5 Tel: 03-5623-9171 Business hours: Mon – Fri 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Sat 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed: Sun, New Year holidays Website: https://classics-the-small-luxury.com/pages/nihombashiningyocho |
Map
Accomodation： HUBHUB
I was curious about it, so I looked it up after I got home, and it seems to be a completely private party room equipped with a grill and sauna.
| 【HUBHUB】 Lodging, barbecue, pool Address: 1-8-9 Horidome-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Website: https://hubhub.jp/ |
Returning to CITAN
As soon as I returned to the shop, I was greeted by a clerk.Paying the fee, I finished renting a bike.
For only 200 yen, I was able to have a very satisfying pottering ride.
After a bit of exercise, I had a delicious drink.
The coffee at BERTH COFFEE in CITAN is very authentic.
They are particular about the coffee beans they use, and each cup is carefully brewed after you order.
The most popular menu item among the regulars who come every day is drip coffee, and the seasonal recommendation is apple cider.
I caught a glimpse of a customer’s latte at the counter, and it looked very milky and delicious, so I ordered a latte.
The latte art was very nice. The rich milk foam was delicious.
It was fun to watch the barista at the counter as I got my coffee.
Listening to the conversations between the clerks and the regular customers was also pleasant and made me feel like I was in a community, not just a cafe.
I heard that CITAN also has accommodation facilities, and now that it’s hard to travel, many people seem to gather together for sleepovers.
Summary
Course introduction
My pottering record
Departure from CITAN ・・・ Reception and rental work (about 10 min)
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TOKY ・・・ Enjoy the shop (about 10 min)
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In front of Meijiza ・・・ Taking photos and hanging around (about 10 min)
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Amazake Yokocho ・・・ Pottering (about 5 min)
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Koami Shrine ・・・Take pictures of the shrine (about 5 min)
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Ningyocho ・・・Pottering around the area (about 10 min)
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Returning to CITAN, have a coffee break at BERTH COFFEE
Total: 1 hour and a half Total: 700 yen
I went pottering with a light heart, but it turned out to be a better excursion than I imagined.
Ningyocho area, just a few subway stops from Marunouchi and a 20- to 30-minute walk away, is dotted with wonderful shops, and I enjoyed it as if it were a treasure hunt.
In just an hour, I felt refreshed and satisfied both physically and mentally.
I would recommend this tour to anyone who lives in or near Nihonbashi.
