Like a Japanese Bridge Over Troubled Fish Water

In the Ginza downtown area of Tokyo on Sunday afternoon of our last weekend in Japan, the Kai family led us around on some city sight seeing. I happened to mention the Nihombashi ––Japan Bridge, a historic bridge from 1603 from which Japan’s five major highways originated. It is the mile zero or kilometer zero marker from which all distances in Japan are measured. Toshiji, Shukuko, and brother Takayuki said “ikimashou!” – let’s go. The characters on the overpass read Nihon Bashi – Japan Bridge but the overpass is not the bridge. Right before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the city built many subways, highways, and the monorail to help move people around the city.This highway was built right over the top of the Japan Bridge.

Here I am posing with the Japan Bridge. All distances in Japan at that moment were measured from me.

After we looked at it for a bit, Shukuko asked us if we wanted to take the boat tour. We said “sure” and the next thing we knew, mother and father of Makiko were in a convenience store buying some cold drinks for our river cruise.

Do we look like a family? How about a bunch of tourists?

So there it is: an elevated highway (toll way) built directly above the river and crossing over one of the country’s most historic bridges. There are probably a few subway lines underneath it all.

Where there are highways there are also interchanges.

Soon we entered the main river where we caught another glimpse of the Tokyo Sky Tree Tower, the tallest structure in Japan at 2000+ feet. It is the tallest tower (not a building) in the world and the second tallest structure after the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai which is 2722 feet.

I like this photo and wonder if the development was planned to mirror the curve of the bridge.

This is the boat trip where they handed out hats to wear. My melon is too big for Japanese hats. Sorry. Plus, I was rocking my Detroit lid.

They have these flood control gates on all of the small canal or river spurs off the main river. Gotta keep out those storm surges.

Buildings and bridges are relatively young in the US compared with Japan’s old stuff. Imagine trying to get permission here to build a superhighway above a river that crosses over a landmark bridge.

 

And then we stoked up with some fish broth. I’ve been talking about this fish broth with people and no one quite understands the concept. It is simple: broth made from fish is clear, slightly fishy tasting, and delicious. It is used in many Japanese dishes but most notable in Miso Soup, something we had at almost every single meal. This place, The Nihombashi Dashi Bar is located in a department store. You walk up and order your fish liquid, season with seaweed, salt, or soy sauce, and then stand around drinking like it’s happy hour.

 

The middle line says, ”Odashi Drinku Menyuu” – Honorable Fish Broth Drink Menu. Awesome.

Yeah, we were boiling hot from walking around outside before having a refreshing glass of hot fish soup. We all liked it and Sue even had a small sip.

This trend will be coming to the US soon. New York or maybe San Francisco. . . wait for it. . .