拡大する日本橋

大学の授業で三井不動産の方に日本橋についてお話を聞いた。さすが江戸の商人の街で、老舗も多い。当時日本各地の商人が日本橋に集まってきたそうだ。西川ふとんは近江商人、にんべんや三井越後屋は伊勢商人、千疋屋は越谷、榮太郎は飯能から日本橋にやってきた。そんな由緒ある日本橋なのだが、三越界隈を再開発するだけでなく、東側にもエリアを拡大させている。まるでディズニーランドにシーを作ってディズニーリゾートが拡大したのと同じである。しかも近代的な大型ビルを建てるのではなく、古い佇まいをそのまま活かして中身だけ甦らせる。さらに首都高が地下化して水辺も楽しめるようになるらしい。ますます日本橋ランドが楽しみになるなぁ。（絵と文：サカキテツ朗）
Expanding Nihonbashi 0052 1/06/23
We talked to Mitsui Fudosan about Nihonbashi in a university class. As expected, it is a merchant town in Edo, and there are many long-established stores. At that time, merchants from all over Japan gathered at Nihonbashi. Nishikawa Futon was an Omi merchant, Ninben and Mitsui Echigoya were Ise merchants, Senbiya was from Koshigaya, and Eitaro was from Hanno to Nihonbashi. Although Nihonbashi has such a long history, it not only redevelops the Mitsukoshi area, but also expands the area to the east. It's like making a sea in Disneyland and expanding Disney Resort. Moreover, instead of building a large modern building, the old appearance is used as it is and only the contents are revived. Furthermore, it seems that the Metropolitan Expressway will be underground and we will be able to enjoy the waterside. I'm looking forward to Nihonbashi Land more and more. -Text and illustration by Ted Sakaki