Nihonbashi, a city with 400 years of history dating back to the Edo period, is a thriving commercial and cultural center, serving as the starting point of the five major roads, where people and goods intermingle and the area flourished. Nihonbashi-gai Daigaku (operated by Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store and Gear Change Co., Ltd.) will open in Nihonbashi on October 23rd, offering a place where students can learn about history, enjoy the present, and experience new things. Yoji Naka, general manager of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, the first president of Nihonbashi-gai Daigaku, said, "This commemorative project kicks off in the year that marks the 340th anniversary of the founding of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. As a department store that has grown in and nurtured the neighborhood, we want to be a store that sells not only goods but also culture." He explained how the school differs from other cultural schools, saying, "We will offer courses that incorporate fieldwork, morning and evening courses for before and after work, and niche courses that are hard to find elsewhere." The first five courses are "Buddha Statues," "Sake," "Wine," "Hot Spring Trekking," and "Mount Fuji Worship." While these are common themes, each course offers a unique perspective, as well as fascinating fieldwork, such as an overnight stay at a temple lodging, a visit to a remote hot spring in Mount Nasu, and a visit to a natural winery. Each course will be completed in four to six sessions, and students will receive a certificate of completion and a report card. In the future, a "Nihonbashi Gakubu" (Nihonbashi Gakubu *music club, not a faculty) is planned, in keeping with the name "Oedo Nihonbashi." The charm of the Nihonbashi area, which has continued since the Edo period, will also be shared by Machidai. "Although I am the president, I would also like to be a student," says Naka. This may be the perfect opportunity for those looking to rethink their weekday work and weekend sleep routines this fall.