Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2011

Tokyo’s fabled Nihombashi bridge—first built in 1603 and since reconstructed 19 times—is celebrating the centenary of the current 20th version. Among the events and festivities being held in honor of the double-arched stone bridge is a promotion featuring original cocktails created by local bars and restaurants. The celebration is being spearheaded by the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo (2-1-1 Nihombashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku; www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo), which has concocted the appropriately named Nihombashi (¥2,100 plus 13 percent service charge), a vodka-based cocktail with yuzu liqueur and grapefruit juice. “The turquoise blue symbolizes Nihombashi, ‘the quarter of water,’” says the hotel. “The emerald green hints at evocative willows along the bank of the river, and the lime twist represents the Nihombashi Bridge and waves on the water.” Available through the end of the year at the 37F Mandarin Bar.