Shimbashi Area Guide

Contents

• Location
• Key Stats
• Orientation Around the Station
• Livability
• Short History of Shimbashi
• Useful Info at a Glance
• Shimbashi Apartments

Location

Shimbashi (also transliterated to Shinbashi) is a commercial/business district in the center of Tokyo. Shimbashi’s geographical location on the northeastern edge of Minato Ward place it close to a lot of very popular attractions that increase the livability of the area.

To the north is Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward. To the east is the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens in Chuo Ward. And if you’re looking to indulge in a little bit of luxury, the glittering streets of Ginza are within walking distance from Shimbashi. To the west from the station is another business-centric district, Toranomon.

Countless corporate headquarters can be found in Shimbashi, including: Fujitsu, All Nippon Airways, Shiseido, and Softbank. It’s often regarded as a district full of salarymen (Japanese-created English word for a white collar-worker). Those looking for an apartment in the area tend to be interested in cutting down on commute time. Shimbashi Station is a major hub, connecting eight different train lines, so it is also quite an attractive location for those needing to get around the city as efficiently as possible.

Key Stats

Average Rent in Shimbashi

Apartments For Rent in Shimbashi

Train Lines

JR/Subway/Other	Line
JR East	Yamanote
JR East	Tokaido
JR East	Joban
JR East	Yokosuka
JR East	Keihin-Tohoku
Tokyo Metro	Ginza
Toei Subway	Asakusa
New Transit Yurikamome	Yurikamome

Accessibility

Orientation Around the Station

The naming convention of the exits for JR Shimbashi Station can be a little confusing for those unfamiliar with Tokyo’s layout.

• The Karasumori Exit lies at the south of the station. When you exit, you’ll be facing west. In front will be an intersection: to the left an UNO pachinko center, and straight in front will be a corner of lottery ticket desks.
• The Hibiya Exit is a popular exit to use when meeting others at the station. This exit is on the north side of the station, and exits to the west. There is an open space at the entrance/exit with an old steam locomotive on display. This landmark is often used as a meeting point.
• The Shiodome Exit is east of the station. You’ll want to use this exit to get to Shiodome Caretta, or if you’re transferring to the Yurikamome Line. It’s also the closest exit to the Fujitsu Headquarters.
• The Ginza Exit is aptly named as it points visitors toward Ginza (northeast of the station).

Livability

Shimbashi may be best defined as a busy commercial center of Tokyo that is surrounded by equally famous districts such as Ginza and Toranomon, but there is a lot more to this area than meets the eye. Acting as a hub station close to Tokyo, the JR Shimbashi Station ranks as the 7th busiest JR East operated station as of 2018. This constant flow of people creates a kind of heartbeat of Tokyo: commuters rush in to the business districts in the morning, most will leave for home in the evening, while at the same time those interested in the city nightlife will come out to visit the bars and restaurants tucked away in every corner of every street of Tokyo.

Shitamachi Flavor

Shimbashi retains a lot of the “old Tokyo” kind of feel, which is usually referred to as shitamachi (lit. “low town”) in Japanese. After work, salarymen congregate in the many bars and restaurants around Shimbashi. For this reason, a lot of the establishments cater towards this clientele. Staple dining options like yakitori and ramen are plenty here. Most of these shitamachi joints opt to omit fancy decor and thusly pass the savings onto the customer through the generally inexpensive menu. If you need to impress someone on a night out, consider swinging by Ginza, which is only a 10 minute walk from Shimbashi Station.

Proximity to Various Popular Sights

Shimbashi’s location in Minato Ward places it close to a variety of interesting destinations: Toranomon Hills, Ginza, Shiodome Caretta, Hibiya Park, and even Tokyo Tower. Quite a few of these notable landmarks are even within walking distance from the station.

Hamarikyu Garden

Just a stone’s throw away from Shimbashi Station is the beautifully maintained Hamarikyu Gardens. First opened on April 1, 1946, most of the landscaped garden surrounds Shioiri Pond. There is a teahouse on the pond itself, a great place to come to relax from the stresses of city life. Originally, this land was the site of a villa of the Shōgun Tokugawa family in the 17th century. Entering the gardens and surveying the landscape with modern skyscrapers in the background provides a contrasting sense of past and present.

Nakagin Capsule Tower

One of the more unique characteristics of Shimbashi is the Nakagin Capsule Tower, a building that was constructed in 1972. Technically the address lists it in Ginza, but it’s right on the border with Shimbashi so it deserves a mention when discussing Shimbashi. The tower seems to capture the mystique of a Japanese architecture movement called Metabolism; but currently much of the building is in disrepair and those for demolition are at a standstill with those against demolition. For better or worse, this one-of-a-kind example of this unique architecture design still remains in Shimbashi.

Eating

While the streets and alleys of Shimbashi are home to happy-hours and quick bites like yakitori, there are options for fine-dining in the area. Check out Tempura Osaka for a high-end tempura experience, Prime 42 BY NEBRASKA FARMS if you’re in the mood for a juicy steak, and Teppanyaki Ittetsu for dinner and a show.

Short History of Shimbashi

As one of the oldest stations in Japan (completed in 1872), Shimbashi has a long history of being associated with trains. The old steam locomotive proudly on display at the Hibiya Exit of the station is a reminder of this claim to fame. In fact, the station was located in what is now Shiodome, and is now a small museum displaying the history of rail transport in Tokyo.

Useful Info at a Glance

Supermarkets

*This is just a selection of supermarkets in the area.

Gyms

*These are just examples of gyms available in the area.

Universities

Ward Office, Police, Library

Hospitals

*These are examples of clinics in the area.

Parks

Shimbashi Apartments

Apartments for rent near Shimbashi Station:

• Shimbashi Station apartments
• Toranomon Station apartments
• Ginza Station apartments
• Kamiyacho Station apartments
• Hamamatsucho Station apartments

Shimbashi is a central district of Tokyo that truly is a blend of past and present flavors. There is a deep connection to the history around the area that you’ll feel thanks to the Hamarikyu Gardens and the shitamachi vibe. But it is also one of the major business centers of Tokyo where many companies have placed their headquarters. The livability of this area (as with the rest of Minato Ward) is fairly high, thanks to the central location and ease at which one can maneuver around the city.

Apartments For Rent in Shimbashi

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Lead photo: iStock