101 things to do in Nihonbashi

51. Sip on French soup...

Ginza restaurant Pérignon's famed consommé can now be tasted without having to pay for an entire dinner course, as this soup-only shop offers the take-out version for pocket change. Gelée D'or map and opening hours

52. Hide away with art and curry...

Sidestep the main drag and slip into this cosy café-cum-gallery space for a 'dry' curry amidst impressive local art. Café & Gallery Kai map and opening hours

53. Begin a new novel over hayashi rice...

The original location of this now nationwide chain of bookstores carries a small selection of English books, but the real attraction here is the third-floor café and its hayashi rice, a tomato-based meat sauce dish. Maruzen Café map and opening hours

54. Squeeze in for some edible art...

There's only room for a handful of customers but the wafting smell of cinnamon will lure you in. They specialise in artisanal Japanese sweets and Koganeimo, which are shaped to look like mini sweet potatoes. Kotobukido map and opening hours

55. Go to the spa in the sky...

Enjoy revitalising treatments and a dip in the relaxation pool, all the while taking in the stunning views of the city at this luxury hotel chain's 37th-floor shrine to relaxation. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo map and opening hours

56. Enhance your lifestyle...

Spice up your home with traditional Japanese crafts or contemporary interior goods, and enjoy a wholesome meal at the restaurant. Claska Gallery & Shop 'Do' Nihonbashi/Do Tabelka map and opening hours

57. Don't expect a 'normal' pancake...

This popular Japanese snack, known as 'taiyaki pancake', is more like a crispy waffle that's filled with sweetened azuki beans and shaped like a fish. Sounds good, no? Yanagiya map and opening hours

58. Climb the steps to holiness...

Work your way up the small staircase to this tiny but charming temple, hidden between a couple of nondescript buildings just off Ningyocho's main thoroughfare. Oogannon Temple map and opening hours

59. Pluck a shamisen...

Guitar players will enjoy trying their hand at the shamisen, a Japanese instrument of ancient origin that plays a major role in Japanese theatre including kabuki. Bachihanabusa map and opening hours

60. Wolf down pizza in a vintage setting...

Unlike many other pizza shops, the vintage atmosphere here isn't an affectation: Il Tamburello's building is over half a century old. Owner Yoshihisa Otsubo says he chose the location for its European flavour, and it's got personality in spades. Pizzeria Il Tamburello map and opening hours

61. Gaze at 1,800 art works...

In 1952 Shojiro Ishibashi, founder of Bridgestone Corporation, opened a gallery to house his private art collection. Since then, the museum has continued to grow, acquiring works by the likes of Picasso and Renoir, as well as Western-style paintings by Japanese artists. Bridgestone Museum of Art map and opening hours

62. Fill up on meat and more meat...

Bite into a juicy croquette for a taste of top-class flavoured beef at this deli and restaurant that will surely make even the most hardened carnivore bark in delight. Ningyocho Imahan Sozai map and opening hours

63. Taste the unique flavour of dashi...

Begin by slurping up simple but flavourful dashi (soup) concoctions at the quirky bar before raiding the store shelves for all the soup ingredients you could ever need. Nihonbashi Dashi Bar map and opening hours

64. Get rid of clothing fluff once and for all...

Toss aside the sellotape – once you get your hands on a clothes brush from Edoya you'll never look back. They're made using boar hair, which is apparently perfect for removing lint and other particles from clothing fibres without creating static. Edoya map and opening hours

65. Meet a conger eel Hello Kitty...

Conger eels can grow up to three metres long in the wild, but you'll only find them cut up and cooked at Tamai, an eatery that also sells eel-themed Hello Kitty figurines. Tamai map and opening hours

66. Relish a gourmet burger...

Brozers' has become a must-visit on the Tokyo gourmet burger trail. Try the OTT 'Lot Burger' – its patty is super juicy with a 7:3 ratio of Australian minced pork to wagyu marbled beef, and it comes with toppings of bacon, egg, cheese and pineapple. Brozers' map and opening hours

67. Enjoy shopping at luxury boutiques...

Take the 'chauffeur-driven' elevator between eight different floors at this elegant department store that attracts the more mature customer. Pop down to the basement for an amazing food selection. Takashimaya map and opening hours

68. Grab yakitori on the run...

No time to stop for lunch? Buy a selection of yakitori (chicken skewers) from this takeaway spot. Toritada map and opening hours

69. Browse the 'high street'...

Slightly removed from the high-rise centre, this shopping street is dotted with restaurants and interesting knick-knackery. Be sure to investigate side alleys. Amazake Yokocho Street map and opening hours

70. Try top-class tempura...

Prepared in sesame oil, the vegetable and seafood fries at this charming golden oldie (founded in 1885) approach the sublime. Tenmo map and opening hours

71. Nibble on cicchetti with wine pairing...

End your day with a superb glass of Italian wine and Venetian-style tapas, cooked with fresh local fish, at the sister store of Ebisu restaurant Alma. Nice atmosphere and open till late. Il Bacaro Alma map and opening hours

72. Get gourmet pastry takeaways...

Headed by award-winning pastry chef Shuji Muto and head baker Tetsuya Ohashi, this cake, bread and chocolate shop reopened in March 2014 with a new look and feel. Beautiful packaging is the cherry on top to the wonders on offer. Gourmet Shop by Mandarin Oriental Tokyo map and opening hours

73. Watch Japanese comedy...

If your Japanese is up to par, catching a traditional rakugo performance makes for some great midday entertainment. Some shows start from as early as 1pm. Oedo Nihonbashi-tei map and opening hours

74. Buy stylish souvenirs...

Blending centuries of Japanese craftsmanship with modern design, the tableware and decorative items here will surely prove to be huge hits with your folks back home. Dainippon-ichi map and opening hours

75. Feel good with organic veggies...

Dig into guilt-free gourmet takeaway meals, served with natural pork, seasonal vegetables and nutritious ingredients. There are also a few seats available if you prefer to eat-in. Dorobushi map and opening hours