Sumida River Walk (1) 2009.8.16

Sumida River (Sumida gawa) runs through east part of Tokyo.

The lower river region was the busiest commercial area in Edo (Tokyo's former name) in the Edo period (1603-1867) and is still flourished.

The region has been modernized in the last 3 decades. Many tall office buildings and residential apartments stand along the river today. At the same time, many historical places are scattered in the region.

I walked from the mouth of the river up to Asakusa, a busy commercial center in traditional atmosphere.

Famous Tsukiji Fish Market lies in the river mouth area. The flow is slow and the water is salty. I saw people riding water crafts.

Tsukuda-jima, about 2 kilometers from the mouth, is famous for tsukudani, traditional soybean-taste fish food. The area was developed in the Edo period by immigrant fishermen from Osaka. Osaka-origin Sumiyoshi Shrine remains at the center of the district.

The riverside walkways (Sumida Terraces) are well arranged.

There are Ukiyo-e pictures of Hiroshige, one of two greatest Ukiyo-e artists with Hokusai, copied on the metal frames in the walkway at Ryogoku area, about 5 kilometers from the mouth. Kokugikan, Sumo's home ground, stands at the opposite side of Hiroshige's pictures.

There are 12 bridges (excluding railway bridges and highway bridges) in the 7-8 kilometers from the river's mouth to Asakusa. Blue plastic houses stand under the bridges.

I am sure that I will have more walks along Sumida River.