Japan: Tokyo (Sumida River) (*)

The Sumida River flows through Tokyo, running 17 miles (27 kilometers) around the city and passing under 26 bridges. It branches from the Arakawa River at Iwabuchi and flows into Tokyo Bay. The river is a great place to go on a boat cruise passing under the colorful bridges, viewing the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower, going past Shinto shrines, and getting closer to Tokyo’s river born heritage where the vibrant river systems served as the arteries through which its commerce flowed, from the Edo period to the present day.

One of many floating restaurants on the river where patrons can sit on tatami enjoying good food & drink

Tokyo Tower from the Sumida River

We took advantage of the river cruise while visiting Asakusa where we sailed down the river to the Hamarikyu Gardens.  Alternatively, you can cruise across Tokyo Bay, traveling from old-fashioned Asakusa to the modern amusements of the manmade island of Odaiba. Tokyo Cruise Ship Company offers various types of cruises: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/index.html.

Tokyo Cruise Ship Company boarding area on the Sumida River

The Himiko Water Bus which sails to Odaiba

Our boat which sailed down the river and to Hamarikyu Gardens

Inside the boat

The Tokyo Skytree and the Asahi Beer buildings along the Sumida River

Among Sumida’s 26 bridges, the principal ones include:

The Ryogoku Bridge: The present bridge dates back to 1932, having replaced a bridge built in 1659. This bridge was immortalized many times by Utagawa Hiroshige a well-known Japanese Ukiyoe artist.

Hiroshige’s work

The Nihon Bridge:  Dates back to the 17th century and was called the Edo Bridge during the Edo period. The bridge does not actually cross the Sumida River. It crosses the Nihonbashi River, about 1 kilometer west of the Sumida.

Nihon Bridge

The Eitai Bridge: Dates back to 1924 when it replaced a bridge that was constructed there in 1696.

Eitai Bridge

The Senju Bridge: Dates back to 1921 and replaced a bridge constructed in 1594 which had served as the only bridge across the river for a long period of time.

The Sakura Bridge: Is one of the newer bridges and dates back to only 1985.

The Kototoi Bridge: Dates back to 1928 and was reconstructed at the location of the bridge which originally linked two nearby temples—the Mimeguri-Jinja and the Matsuchiyama-shoden.

Kototoi Bridge

The Azuma Bridge: Dates back to 1931 and  replaced the bridge which stood at that location since 1774. This bridge is closest to the Asakusa Station and the Kaminari Gate.

Azuma Bridge

The Komagata Bridge: Dates back to 1927 and takes its name from the Matsugata temple dedicated to the patron goddess of horses.

Komagata Bridge

The Umaya Bridge: Dates back to 1929 and replaced the bridge that was built in 1875.

Umaya Bridge

The Kuramae Bridge: Dates back to 1927 and is 570 ft. long and 70 ft. wide. It includes six traffic lanes and wide sidewalks. Large stone piers support the arches and the bridge decks.

Kuramae Bridge

The Shin Ohashi: Dates back to 1976 and replaced the bridge that was originally built in 1693.

Shin Ohashi

The Kiyosu Bridge:  Dates back to 1928 and is modeled after the Deutz Suspension Bridge in Cologne, Germany.

Kiyosu Bridge

The Chuo Bridge: Was constructed in 1994 and is the newest of all of the bridges which cross the Sumida River.

Chuo Bridge

The Tsukuda Bridge: Dates back to 1964 and was the first bridge built after World War II, crossing the river from the Tsukiji to Tsukishima.

Tsukuda Bridge

The Kachidoki Bridge: Dates back to 1940 and was constructed to commemorate the victory of the Japanese Army at Lushun during the Russo-Japanese War. This bridge is the only drawbridge on the Sumida River however it has not been raised since 1970.

Kachidoki Bridge

The Sumida Park Riverside Gallery just next door to the Tokyo Cruise Ship Company

Tokyo’s unique architecture

Each year on the last Saturday in July, The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival takes place. The festival is a revival of the celebrations that were held during the Edo period. Similar events take place at same time of year at other locations throughout Japan. The great summer festival atmosphere that accompanies the fireworks draws close to a million celebrants, many of whom are dressed in yukatas.  Folks stroll around in Asakusa, especially around Sensoji Temple, and patronize the food vendors and game stalls lining the streets. In addition, many of restaurants in the area provide outdoor seating where you can enjoy delicious food while watching the fireworks.

The best places to view the fireworks display are right along the Sumida River itself. One area stretches from the Sakura Bridge to the Kototoi Bridge while another is located downstream of the Komagata Bridge to the Umaya Bridge.