101 things to do in Nihonbashi

26. Taste true Tokyo sushi...

No conveyor belts here – see the time-honoured skills of Tokyo sushi chefs in action at dinner, or try the reasonably priced 'chirashi' seafood bowl at lunch. Janoichi Sushi map and opening hours

27. Have Japanese comfort food...

The pancake-like okonomiyaki, cooked right at your table, serves as a great introduction to everyday Japanese eats. The traditional-style floor seating adds to the attraction. Matsunami map and opening hours

28. Line up for time-honoured oyakodon...

Get a protein kick with this Japanese rice dish made with chicken simmered in dashi soup and sealed with egg. The name 'oyakodon' means 'parent and child donburi', playing on the fact that both chicken and egg are used in the same dish. Tamahide map and opening hours

29. Feel like a real artist...

Even if you aren't struck by the urge to paint a masterpiece when you set eyes on the colourful powdered pigments available here, you won't be able to resist the wood-block print postcards. Yubendo map and opening hours

30. Share in a new beginning…

First established in the 9th century, this tiny shrine has had to endure being moved around continuously during the area's redevelopment, but has now found a new, permanent home among the skyscrapers. Note that the surroundings will be under construction until autumn 2014. Fukutoku Shrine map

31. Stock up on sake...

Find the finest sake and shochu liquors from every major region in Japan at the homely Sasaki, trusted by connoisseurs for almost a century now. Sasaki Saketen map and opening hours

32. Enter old-world Edo...

You could call this gallery unassuming were it not for the larger-than-life image of Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa by artist Sharaku hanging outside. Browse antiques and unique crafts, each of which has a fascinating story to tell. Ebiya Art map and opening hours

33. Brave sea urchin for lunch...

The brownish, creamy delicacy is usually served as sushi or in a bowl with rice, but this innovative eatery conjures up dishes like sea urchin pasta for all you courageous gourmands. Riccio Mania Market map and opening hours

34. Take a sweet shot...

Sip on excellent sake while savouring a selection of tasty snacks at this snug and friendly watering hole, where you can also purchase antique cups and bowls from the bar's early days. Kawaguchi Saketen map and opening hours

35. Visit the world's first kite museum...

Take the elevator up to this unique museum, housed above a famous restaurant, that displays around 300 elaborately decorated kites, collected from all over Japan and other East Asian countries. Kite Museum map and opening hours

36. Wrap yourself in a cloud...

Bathroom towels so soft that you'll want to hug them – this shop brings you the most luxurious body-drying equipment out there. All in ridiculously cute colours, too. Iori map and opening hours

37. Get designer seaweed snacks...

Nori (seaweed) and Hello Kitty are both loved by Japan and, here, they're combined into one with a range of products adorned with the cute cat. Yamamoto Noriten map and opening hours

38. Indulge in the deep fry...

Treat yourself to century-old yoshoku – a Western-influenced style of cooking that's been tailored to suit Japanese tastes. Gets packed at lunch time. Koharuken map and opening hours

39. Taste sweets from the 1800s...

They're famed for their unique Kintsuba sweets, which they began selling at the end of the Edo period, and today Eitaro holds a reputation as one of Japan's top confectioneries. Rest wary legs at their tea room and enjoy green tea and sugary bean treats. Eitaro Sohonpo map and opening hours

40. Find the best fish flakes...

Dried bonito flakes are an integral part of Japanese cooking, used for everything from soup stock to salad toppings. If you're planning to try the latter, there's a special kind of flake you should ask for. Yamatoya map and opening hours

41. Find the perfect chopsticks...

Looking for chopsticks fit for a shogun? Find them here, along with an endless selection of other expertly crafted specimens that come in all the shapes, sizes and colours you could ever need. Hashicho map and opening hours

42. Rent a kimono...

If you're attending a wedding or other special occasion and feel like dressing up in traditional garb, hire a kimono here. Rakuya map and opening hours

43. Stop in for a laidback French meal...

This simple yet sophisticated spot is open on Sundays (rare for restaurants in the area) and prides itself on using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. You'll find it hard to beat the value for money here.
Merveille map and opening hours

44. Queue up... Your tastebuds will thank you...

Make sure you have a couple of hours to spare if you plan to visit this tendon (tempura on rice) spot as you are bound to have to wait to get inside. But the one single dish on the menu is well worth it. Kaneko Hannosuke map and opening hours

45. Say cheers with craft beer...

The fourth outpost of this insanely popular beer bar, which primarily deals in domestic brews like Baird and Kinshachi, offers pints for ¥780 – a very fair price, considering the location. Craft Beer Market map and opening hours

46. Buy the best fruit basket...

Besides selling eye-poppingly large and shiny fruit (a very impressive corporate gift, perhaps?), this store sells luxury jams and serves up treats at its adjoining café. Sembikiya Sohonten map and opening hours

47. Mix golf and Italian...

This multi-functional space offers the finest Italian cuisine, live performances, karaoke and golf simulators, all under one roof. XEX Nihonbashi map and opening hours

48. Take a piece of Japan home with you...

This tiny store is packed with just the kind of memorabilia you'll want to remember your time in Tokyo. We recommend the company's original jidai-komon products (kimono fabrics with repeat patterns). Nihonbashi Yuma map and opening hours

49. Let a toothpick predict your future...

Saruya has been producing toothpicks since 1704, a feat of longevity that makes more sense once you've actually used one of their handmade wonders – we recommend the ones wrapped in paper slips bearing fortunes and love songs. Saruya map and opening hours

50. Combine sweets with slimy seaweed...

Ever thought slimy, simmered seaweed or shellfish would go perfectly with traditional Japanese sweets? Neither did we, but apparently this curious combo has enough fans to merit a dedicated shop. Eirakuya map and opening hours