Z Notes Blog by Jim Zumwalt
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Zero Kilometer Marker

Today's stone bridge, with a modern viaduct soaring overhead.

The old wooden bridge looked like this - "Morning Glow at the Nihonbashi," woodblock print by Hiroshige (Wikipedia Image)

Nov. 10 - The Nihonbashi, a bridge that spans the Nihonbashi River not far from Tokyo Station, lies at the terminus of many ancient roads leading out of Tokyo.

When crossing this bridge on foot, I always stop to admire the magnificent brass lions that adorn the lantern posts on either side of this stone bridge.

Another way to enjoy the history of this spot is to visit the beautiful replica of the original wooden bridge built in 1603 at the Edo Museum in Ryogoku.

The zero-kilometer marker lies in a small park next to Nihonbashi Bridge. It says "Japan National Roads Terminus marker."

One of the lions that guard the bridge

Although I have crossed the modern stone bridge many times, I only recently learned that one can see a bronze zero-kilometer plaque that marks the beginning of these many roads leading out of Japan's capital city. I returned to Nihonbashi to find that marker for myself. Sure enough, it lies in a small park just to the north of the bridge.

Admiring the wonderful calligraphy on this zero-kilometer marker, I thought about the many millions of people over the past 400 years who have set out from this bridge on journeys to Kyoto, Nikko and other destinations.

Until next time,

Jim

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