Shimbashi is known as the salaryman district, and is chock-full of serious, suited men going about their business in the daytime. At night, it transforms into a neon-lit conflagration of restaurants and less than wholesome entertainment options. But this is very much in keeping with the historical nature of Shimbashi.
It was known as the ‘Gateway to Ginza’ and as a commercial district, was spearheading the country’s new-found modernity towards the end of the 19th century. Numerous manufacturing companies sited themselves in the district as well.
Today, Shimbashi Station is pretty old and not very picturesque, although there is a famous strip of small restaurants under the JR train tracks known as Gado Shita. Here you’ll find yakitori aplenty, but things only start to heat up at night.
