Since April 2008, the Tokyo Shitamachi Bus has connected many popular sightseeing locations in the eastern Tokyo area. Starting at Tokyo Station, the bus makes stops in Akihabara, Ueno, Asakusa, and more on its way to Ryogoku. Guides are available in English, Korean, and Chinese, so be sure to try the Tokyo Shitamachi Bus when you visit Tokyo!

Tokyo Shitamachi Bus homepage

As a part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Toei transportation network, the fare is equivalent to other bus lines: JPY 200. All-day passes that can also be used on other bus and subway lines can be purchased for JPY 700, a great value for the money!

One-day Economy Pass (Ichinichi Josha Ken) for Toei Streetcars, Toei Buses and Toei Subway Lines

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Transportation homepage

The bus starts at Tokyo Station. Be careful, as it leaves from the Marunouchi Exit on the opposite side of the station, not the Yaesu Exit next to the Shinkansen tracks. Did you know that the Yaesu Exit was actually named after a Dutch sailor? Jan Joosten van Loodensteijn (1556? - 1623) was trusted by the Shogunate Ieyasu Tokugawa to live in old Edo at a time when foreigners were forbidden from entering Japan. Loodensteijn's estate came to be known by a contracted pronunciation of his first name, Yaesu.

Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit

On the other side of Tokyo Station, the Marunouchi Exit is contained in a historical red brick building. At the time it was originally built in 1914, it featured a rounded dome in an appropriately elegant style as the Central Station for the capital of Tokyo. However, in 1945 the building's dome and interior were destroyed in American air raids. Two years later, it was rebuilt, replacing the round dome with the current building's angular roof. The red bricks of Tokyo Station hold a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people, and as such in 2003 the building was named an Important Cultural Property.

Currently, restoration efforts are being undertaken to restore the building's original rounded dome, but it seems a bit sad to me to lose the 60 years of history of the current configuration.

Tokyo Station's Marunouchi Side

The Tokyo Shitamachi Bus leaves from Bus Stop Number 1, in front of the Marunouchi OAZO building at the Marunouchi North Exit. OAZO stands for "Office & Amenity Zone," and contains many offices, hotels, and other facilities.

The bus leaves every 30 minutes at the top of the hour and at half past every hour, making it easy to remember its schedule. With its unique shape it's easy to spot the Shitamachi Bus, but double check by making sure you board a bus on Route S-1.

The Tokyo Shitamachi Bus, arriving at Marunouchi

Tokyo area sightseeing and hotel information

There were less seats than I expected and, due to the popularity of the bus, seats can fill up fast, especially on weekends, so I recommend arriving at the bus stop early.

Inside the bus are screens welcoming passengers to the bus and detailing the area around the next stop, including sightseeing opportunities.

After leaving Tokyo Station and passing under the tracks, the bus headed east. Shortly after turning left, it passed through the Nihombashi area.

Although it literally means "Japan Bridge," Nihombashi was originally conceptualized by Ieyasu Tokugawa as the origin of all roads connecting Edo with the rest of Japan. Thus, it was considered the center of Edo, and even today seven national highways originate there.

Unfortunately, in its current state the expressway built over Nihombashi obstructs the view of the sky over the center of Tokyo.

Nihombashi and overlying expressway

The Nihombashi area has always been home to many merchants. After crossing the bridge, I saw the Mitsukoshi department store on the right side of the bus.

Mitsukoshi was founded in 1673 and grew quickly thanks to its new business practices, like paying at the counter and fixed prices. Today it is still one of the largest department stores in Japan.

Nihombashi Mitsukoshi

Nihombashi area sightseeing and hotel information

The next stop for the Shitamachi Bus was Akihabara!

From its beginnings as a collection of radio parts stores, expanding to Tokyo's electronics mecca, Akihabara is now famous worldwide as the center of Japan's otaku pop culture. As you might expect, there were many foreigners and Japanese enjoying Akihabara.

Akihabara sightseeing and hotel information

On its path north from Tokyo Station, the bus next entered Ueno.

As the terminal for JR lines reaching out into Japan's northeast regions, the Ueno area has hosted the hopes and dreams of all those coming and going from Tokyo to Japan's scenic Tohoku region. However, since the Shinkansen service now starts at Tokyo instead of Ueno, it's a little sad to see Ueno Station lose some of its prestige.

West of Ueno station lies "Mt. Ueno," an area always full with people visiting the many museums and Ueno Zoo on the weekends. It's also a famous cherry blossom viewing site in spring.

Ueno Station

Ueno area sightseeing and hotel information

Right next to the Kakuyabashi bus stop is Kappabashi Kitchen Town, an area famous for selling all manner of cooking utensils and appliances. Of particular interest are the many stores that make and sell the plastic display food used in restaurants across the country. They might be plastic, but the detail and skill put into the sushi, soba, and more is enough to make your mouth water!

The bus finally arrived at Asakusa.

In front of the bus stop is Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) famous for its giant red lantern.

Kaminarimon

After walking through the many vendors and customers crowding Nakamise Street, where many popular traditional Japanese items and souvenirs are sold, I saw Hozomon, the second large gate of Asakusa. Originally built in 942, after several fires the gate was rebuilt in 1649. Unfortunately the gate once again burned down during World War II. Recently, repairs to the roof replaced its ceramic tiles with titanium. State of the art techniques were used to recreate the beautiful curves of the original tiles in light and durable titanium.

Take a second to admire the roof of the gate. Can you tell that it's actually made of metal?

The titanium-roofed Hozomon

Asakusa area sightseeing and hotel information

For this trip, I stopped my ride on the Tokyo Shitamachi Bus at Asakusa. Next time I get to ride this bus I'll write about Ryogoku, the last stop on the route!