From Wikitravel

Shinbashi (新橋) is a district of central Tokyo which is a significant business center and commercial area, although not quite as busy as Shinjuku or Shibuya to the west.

[edit] Get in

Shinbashi is on the Yamanote Line and is a connection point to the Toei Asakusa line for both Narita and Haneda Airports, plus the Ginza subway line and the Yurikamome line to Odaiba.

Shinbashi is directly adjacent to Shiodome, and within a slightly longer walking distance of Ginza and Tsukiji.

[edit] By plane

[edit] From Narita Airport

From Narita Airport to Shinbashi, you can take the JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station and take a Yokosuka Line train from the same platform one stop (70 minutes, ¥3110). This trip is free with the Japan Rail Pass.

By private rail, take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno station and change to the Ginza line for the run to Shinbashi (75 minutes, ¥2080). By regular (and potentially slower) commuter train, take the Keisei Line tokkyu service and change at Aoto station to the next Asakusa line train across the platform for the run to Shimbashi (90 minutes, ¥1160).

[edit] From Haneda Airport

Keikyu Line trains from Haneda run through to the Toei Asakusa Line and stop at Shinbashi (30 minutes, ¥610). Shinbashi is also one stop on the Yamanote Line from the Tokyo Monorail terminus at Hamamatsucho.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Sake Plaza, 1-21-1 Nishi-Shinbashi (10 min from Shinbashi stn), tel. 03-3519-2091, [1]. This four-story complex run by the Central Brewers' Union sells anything and everything related to sake, including cups, glasses, books, hydrometers and, of course, the nectar itself. ¥315/515 gets you a taste of 3/5 sakes that change daily. Open Mon-Fri 10 AM to 6 PM, closed weekends and holidays.

[edit][add listing] Eat

The area around Shinbashi and Yurakucho is, thanks to its hordes of office workers, full of lunchtime bargains. You can easily get a filling teishoku lunch for under ¥700.

[edit] Budget

• The Shinbashi area has outlets of most major fast food chains:
  • Tenya (てんや). Shinbashi 2-15-12 (JR Shinbashi, Karasumori exit). An outlet of everybody's favorite fast-food tempura chain, with tempura bowls starting from ¥500.
  • Yoshinoya, the Japanese fast-food chain has several (at least two) restaurants close to the station, and Matsuya also has two restaurants near Shinbashi; get a bowl of rice and meat for ¥300-500. Very crowded at lunch-time (around 1pm).

• The New Shinbashi Building, the triangular (and certainly not new-looking) building on the west side of JR Shinbashi station, has a multitude of dark, smoky, cramped izakayas in its basement levels. Not recommended if you don't like the smell of broiled fish.

[edit] Mid-range

• Shabu-raku-tei (しゃぶ楽亭) Shinbashi 3-5-11, 4 min. from JR station. In the evening it's a medium-priced shabu-shabu joint, but you can get a huge lunch for only ¥1000 -- knocked down to a ridiculously low ¥800 on Mondays.
• Don Blanco, Shimbashi 3-18-7, 3F, tel:03-5401-2066 (2 min southwest of JR station). [2] Tucked away among Korean hostess bars, a cozy joint with some of the most authentic Mexican food you're likely to find in Japan -- the owner makes regular trips to Mexico. Excellent selection of tequilas, home-made tortillas, and lucha libre wrestling masks for guests!

[edit] Splurge

• Daigo (醍醐), 2-3-1 Atago (nearest station Onarimon), tel. 3431-0811, [3]. The name means "essence of milk", a reference to the Buddha's highest teachings, and this restaurant aims for the highest standards of shōjin-ryori (精進料理), the purely vegetarian version of Japan's refined kaiseki cuisine. Located within the grounds of the Seishōji temple, all meals here are elaborate, ten-course affairs served in private rooms with a view of the lovely temple garden. With dinner courses priced at ¥15,000-19,000 per person (plus drinks, tax and service), the experience doesn't come cheap, but it just might be worth it for an unforgettable occasion — and this is still only a third of what Ginza's kaiseki joints charge. Reservations obligatory.

[edit][add listing] Drink

A large number of drinking establishments, some distinctly dodged, can be found around JR Shinbashi station.

• Kagaya, Hanasada Building B1F, 2-15-12 Shinbashi, ☎ +81-3-35912347, [4]. 6pm-late. Famously loopy bar run by performance artist Mark Kagaya. Expect no menu, staff in frog costumes and the unexpected. edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Mid-range

• Check In Shinbashi, 2-15-17 Shinbashi (3 min from JR Shinbashi Karasumori exit), tel. 03-3501-5100, [5]. Cramped but quite tolerable and fully-equipped singles from ¥7500, doubles from ¥10000 (weekend rates, weekdays are slightly higher). Free LAN in every room. New annex building opening nearby in June 2005.

• Tokyu Stay Shinbashi 6-20-1 Shinbashi, tel. 03-54011109, fax 03-5401-1107, [6]. Singles start at ¥9,450, doubles at ¥17,850 per night. Slight discounts are offered for extended stays. Part of the Tokyu Stay chain, these hotels are popular with business travelers. The small kitchenettes, washer/dryers, and free LAN access in all rooms makes these good value.

• Shiba Park Hotel 1-5-10 Shiba-koen, (8 min. from JR Hamamatsucho Station, 4 min. from Daimon Station, 2 min. from Onarimon Station), 03-3433-4141 [7]

• Shinbashi Atagoyama Tokyu Inn 1-6-6, Atago (7 min. from Toranomon station, 7 min. from Kamiyacho station, 7 min. from Onarimon station), 03-3431-0109 [8]

[edit] Get out

Shinbashi is right next to the Shiodome high-rise area, and a short taxi ride (or moderate walk) away from Tsukiji, where you can enjoy some of the best sushi in Tokyo.