Vol.3 Cool Summer Evenings

2024.06.13

Osatou Hitosaji, a magazine editor duo, explored the Yaesu, Nihonbashi, and Kyobashi areas with iPhones in hand. They offer whole new fresh perspectives that make exploring the town enjoyable, highlighting both major landmarks and hidden gems.

The theme of the third time is Cool Summer Evenings. We visited a riverside restaurant and a long-established washi specialty store before concluding our outing with a boat ride from the foot of Nihonbashi Bridge along the Kanda River.

Enjoying Apéro along the Nihonbashi River

  • #Cool_Summer_Evenings_1

    Enjoying Apéro along the Nihonbashi River

  • Dusk on a summer evening is the perfect time for apéro.

     

    At dusk on a summer day, as the heat begins to ease, the view of the Nihonbashi River from the bridge is serene, and the breeze coming off the water is refreshing. On days like this, I feel like leaving work a bit earlier and rushing to enjoy drinks and snacks sooner than usual.

     

    So this time, we visited Nihonbashi 1-1-1, a restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a meal with a view of the Nihonbashi River.

  • We had booked a table on the terrace. The Nihonbashi River flowed right beside our table, which created a pleasant atmosphere unique to the waterfront. We started off by ordering drinks. It is nice that they offer a wide selection of nonalcoholic drinks.

     

    Virgin Mojito (JPY 910)

    Virgin Shinshu White Peach Bellini (JPY 720)

    * All prices include tax.

  • This terrace-only menu offers a set of three types of canned snacks served with baguettes and vegetables. If you are unsure what to order, this is the way to go.  The Yukke-style corned beef on a baguette is especially exquisite.

     

    The red sea bream, cooked with fluffy Tsuyahime rice from Miyazaki in an earthenware pot, offers a delightful flavor. It is the perfect dish to finish the meal.

     

    Canned food set (JPY 2,210)

    Red sea bream rice in earthenware pot (JPY 2,200 for one go of rice)

    *All prices include tax.

  • As the sun sets, the staff light candles, which makes the atmosphere even more romantic. This atmosphere makes me want to forget about work and everything else for a moment and just immerse myself in enjoying the present.

     

    In addition to the terrace tables, the restaurant offers a wide range of seating options, including counter seats, regular tables, and box seating, suitable for various occasions. This has become another place I’ll frequent in the YNKs area.

  • Nihonbashi 1-1-1

     

    Address: Kokubu Building 1F, 1-1-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
    Business hours: Monday to Thursday 5 to 10:30 p.m., Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m/5 to 10 p.m.
    Regular holidays: Sunday
    https://nihonbashi111.zetton.co.jp/

  • Nihonbashi 1-1-1

    Address: Kokubu Building 1F, 1-1-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
    Business hours: Monday to Thursday 5 to 10:30 p.m., Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m/5 to 10 p.m.
    Regular holidays: Sunday
    https://nihonbashi111.zetton.co.jp/

Going to Buy a Stencil-Dyed Fan.

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    Going to Buy a Stencil-Dyed Fan.

  • If you are spending your summer in the chic town of Nihonbashi, there are some things you will want to try. When I dreamed of what I wanted to do, the idea of buying a uchiwa fan from a long-established shop came to mind.

  • Haibara is a washi paper shop founded in 1806,

    It is one of the oldest businesses in the YNKs area, operating in Nihonbashi since it was first established. I had visited this store before, and it is a must-visit for paper lovers. You will appreciate their selection of traditional washi paper, postcards, letter paper, and chiyogami papers. And in the store filled with beautiful items, I found they had uchiwa fans, too.

  • Uchiwa and sensu are both types of fans used in the summer, but uchiwa fans are more casually used than sensu fans. Because of this, uchiwa fans are often given away for free at festivals as novelties today. I did not have a genuine uchiwa fan. If I had a nice, genuine uchiwa fan, I could use it as a fashion accessory to complement a yukata (a casual summer kimono). I could also display it as interior decor to brighten up my room in the summer. It would serve multiple purposes.

     

    The uchiwa fans at Haibara are hand-dyed on handmade washi paper using the same katazome technique (dyeing with stencils) that is used for kimono. The handle is made of bamboo from Boshu. The craftsmen create everything by hand, from the pattern design to the framework. It is very rare to find such a beautiful uchiwa fan! From the first moment I saw it, I knew I wanted an Haibara uchiwa fan someday.

  • And this summer, I visited the store again to finally buy the uchiwa fan I had always wanted. I chose an uchiwa fan with a lily pattern. It features a stencil-dyed pattern of large lily in indigo, similar to those often seen on summer yukata. It would pair nicely with my yukata, even though I haven’t worn it in a while.

     

    Haibara Uchiwa, Katazome pattern, Daimangetsu, Uchiwa fan, Lily, JPY 4,510

    *This product is available in limited quantities and may sell out quickly.

  • Haibara no Uchiwa wo Okuru Tayori Kana (Sending messages using Haibara uchiwa)

    (From Haiku-kou, Masaoka Shiki Jihitu-bon (Haiku manuscript, Masaoka Shiki’s own handwriting), 1898)

     

    Haibara uchiwa fans used to be a trendy summer accessory.

     

    Haibara uchiwa fans have been a trend-setting item since the store’s establishment. During the Meiji era (1868-1912), many people flocked to the shop each year for the release of new uchiwa fans. Haibara uchiwa fans became known as the forerunners of early summer trends and were even considered a symbol of summer. During the Meiji era, the renowned haiku poet Masaoka Shiki wrote a haiku about the Haibara uchiwa fan.

  • Sending a refreshing summer vibe to someone special.

     

    The store also offers a variety of postcards with summer-themed designs. The store has been ordering postcard designs from painters and artists that represent each era since the Edo period. These postcards have remained popular for a long time.

     

    [Left] Morning Glory / Ito Ayaharu, JPY 165, [Right] Goldfish / Kato Eishu, JPY 165

  • Haibara

    Address: Tokyo Nihonbashi Tower, 2-7-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
    Business hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends
    Regular holidays: Public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
    https://www.haibara.co.jp/

  • Haibara

    Address: Tokyo Nihonbashi Tower, 2-7-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
    Business hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends
    Regular holidays: Public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
    https://www.haibara.co.jp/

Sightseeing in Tokyo by Cruise

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    Sightseeing in Tokyo by Cruise

  • A small adventure that starts at the Nihonbashi Pier

     

    Upon learning about a boat tour departing from Nihonbashi, we headed to the Nihonbashi pier that day. I never imagined I would get to board a boat from underneath the Nihonbashi bridge, which I often pass by! After checking in at least 20 minutes before our reserved boat’s departure, we quickly boarded. How exciting!

     

    Do not worry; the boat will return to its departure point!

  • This time we boarded the …

    [Kanda River Cruise (90-minute tour)]

     

    This historical tour circles the Nihonbashi River (where you can see the stone walls of the outer moat of Edo), the Kanda River (including Ochanomizu, Akihabara, and other areas), and the Sumida River. The river guide will explain the historical significance of each location.

  • Suidobashi

    It’s nice to be away from the overhead metropolitan highway and enjoy the sky above us.

     

    Yotsuya Station

    We encountered the Marunouchi subway line at the moment the train popped up above ground.

     

    Yanagibashi

    The Yanagibashi area is home to many houseboats.

     

    We also saw families of ducks.

  • Sumida River

    Looking up at the Sky Tree from the Sumida River offers the best photo opportunities!

     

    Cruising through the familiar streets of Tokyo by boat feels like a completely different adventure! Now, I would love to experience a sunset or night cruise to take in the beautiful views.

  • Nihonbashi Cruise

     

    Address: 1-9 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Nihonbashi River)

    Fare (as of June 2024): Kanda River cruise: JPY 2,500 on weekdays, JPY 2,800 on holidays

    *Prices vary depending on the tour type.

    https://nihonbashi-cruise.jp/

  • Nihonbashi Cruise

    Address: 1-9 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Nihonbashi River)

    Fare (as of June 2024): Kanda River cruise: JPY 2,500 on weekdays, JPY 2,800 on holidays

    *Prices vary depending on the tour type.

    https://nihonbashi-cruise.jp/

Osatou Hitosaji
Magazine editor duo

The magazine editor duo, Asuka Chida and Yuka Dousaka. They engage in a variety of activities with the theme, “offering a spoonful of sugar to all women who were once girls.” They share updates on their Instagram, @osatouhitosaji, and publish a small magazine that reflects their current moods and inspirations.