Meguro River Walk（１）Ikejiri-Gotanda: Oct 23, 2011

I had a walk along Meguro River from Ikejiri to Gotanda. The river runs western part of central Tokyo.

I often have weekend walks along Kitazawagawa and Karasuyamagawa walkways in Setagaya Ward (see previous post). The walkways were made along small rivers. Both rivers merge at Ikejiri and become Meguro River.


The river runs through business and residential areas. Buildings, apartments and other houses stand along the river.


The river is narrow at Ikejiri. There were various autumn flowers and butterflies flow along the river.

It turns into wide cement-protected river south of Ikejiri. The protection works were completed in the 1930s. Water increases as sewage flows into the river.

Aobadai (south of Ikejiri and west of Shibuya) is one of the richest residential areas in Tokyo. There were many high-quality shops and restaurants along the river. One boutique shop named itself “snobbish babies”. The dogs were also relaxed.

The river’s flow becomes slow at Nakameguro. The land is about 6 kilometers from the mouth of the river and seven meter high from the sea level. The river runs seven meter below the land here. It means the water stays in the same level with the sea.
The sea water comes upward when the sea is full. I saw the sea fishes and birds

I dropped in a small museum. It explained the history and the nature of the river. The staff also explained the water and sewage system of Tokyo. The information included:


- The water is supplied to Tokyo mainly from Tone River, Arakawa River and Tama River.
- Tokyo is dependent its water supply on Gunma and other Kanto prefectures.
- Tokyo’s sewage system is getting old. The cleanup level of wasted water (before its release) is lower than usual when it rains. (because the water volume increases and the sewage system cannot dispose all).