Tokyo Bay Walk (4) Tsukiji-Arakawa River: Nov.26, 2011

I walked the western part of Tokyo Bay (in Tokyo) in my past three walks (see part 1, part 2, part 3). I walked north eastern part of the bay today.


The geography is complicated in the region as there are many artificial islands there. Some are old and some are new. The reclamation works began in the Edo period and continued more than 400 years. The lands have their histories.

I walked along the sea line in the early Meiji Period (1880) today.


>>1880 (early Meiji) sea line
Tsukiji – Tsukudajima Island – Ecchujima – Kiba – Toyo – Minamisuna – Higashisuna – Arakawa River – Kasai



-- The lands reclaimed in the Edo era include:
Hibiya, Tsukiji, Shinkawa, Tsukudajima Island, Ecchujima, Fukagawa, Kiba, Suzaki (Toyo), Sunamura (Minamisuna, Higashisuna), Kasai

-- 1930 (early Showa) sea line
Harumi – Toyosu –Shinonome – Tatsumi – Shinsuna – Arakawa River – Kasai

I started my walk from Tsukiji. Temples and samurai houses stood here in the Edo era and naval facilities were built in the early Meiji era. Now, the place is famous for its fish market.

The last part of Sumida River lies between Tsukiji and Tsukishima, an artificial island developed in the Meiji era. There are modern apartments along the river. The riverside walkway is modern and beautiful. I saw many seagulls in the river.


Tsukudajima Island was developed in the Edo era. Traditional shops of tsukudani, or traditional seafood boiled in soy source, attracted visitors.

I walked eastward from Ecchujima to Kiba. The areas were first used as agricultural fields and residential areas in the Edo period. They turned into industrial areas after the Meiji period. Canals flow here and there.


I found an old ship named “Meiji maru” displayed in the ground of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

I walked eastward and arrived in Toyo. There are many huge residential apartments along the main street. Some of them have more than 500 houses in each building. I got the impression that the towns were artificial and dry.

I arrived at Arakawa River. The lower part of the river was artificially developed in the early 20th century (1913-30) to prevent water flood. The river was wide and plenty of water flew down to the sea.


Power cables run over the river. The lines of transmission towers were beautiful in the sunset.

Sengawa River Walk (2)：Nov.23, 2011

I walked along Sengewa River which flows in Setagaya ward (1st walk on June 6, 2010).

I walked southward from Seijo station.


The river flows through residential areas. Cherry trees are planted along the river. The leaves were turned red.


There gather TV and cinema studios in the area. Ultra man, a SF hero first appeared in the late 1960s, was made here. A cinema company Toho’s studio is along the river.

Many ducks were swimming in the river.

Meguro River Walk (2): Nov.20, 2011

I had the 2nd part of my Meguro River Walk (Part 1 on Oct. 23). It was from Gotanda to Tokyo Bay.

I arrived in Osaki district after about 20-minutes walk. The district was re-developed in the late 1990s. Modern apartments as well as office buildings and commercial complexes spread in the area. I saw many families enjoying their holidays in the parks and other public spaces along the river side.

There are many factories and other industrial facilities in Osaki and Shinagawa areas. There scatter many Sony buildings.


There emerged temples and shrines as I approached the sea. I crossed Old Tokaido street about 500 meters before the sea line.

Several Artificial islands were developed at Meguro River’s mouth area. They include the Tennoz Island.  A police patrol boats moved through the canals.

Tokyo Bay Walk (3) Shinagawa-Takeshiba: Nov. 12, 2011

I took the 3rd part of my Tokyo Bay walk. It was from Shinagawa to Takeshiba Pier.

The area has many faces. There are container and passenger terminals in the seaside. There are office buildings and commercial facilities as well as apartments. Canals run in the earth and highways and monorail are over the ground.


I walked the passage along a canal near JR Shinagawa station. The water was calm and the seagulls looked relaxed.

I saw a sewerage disposal plant near Shinagawa station. It reminded me of the huge volume of Tokyo’s waste and of the importance of disposal system.

The Rainbow Bridge connects Shibaura and Odaiba districts. Cars and trains move round and climb the road or the rail before crossing the bridge. The scene has already become one of the symbolic views of Tokyo.


I moved Shibaura terminal. There were warehouses in the seafront area.

An old ship was displayed in a road (walkway). The ship was used in the Taisho Period (1910-25) for land reclamation work. A monorail car passed over the sea when I was arrived there.


I moved forward and arrived in Hinode terminal. It is mainly used for passenger ships. I sawa many tourists gathering here to enjoy Tokyo Bay cruising. Many buses were waiting their guest returning from the cruise.

I moved up to Takeshiba Pier. Another passenger lines, including the lines to/from Ogasawara and other located islands, leave and arrive here. The terrace was floored with timbers and wea well decorated.








* If you walk the seafront line of Tokyo Bay clockwise from south, you will pass following places.

(1)Haneda Airport (2)Minami Omori (3)Showa-jima Island (4)Keihin-jima Island (5)Oi container terminal (6)Shinagawa container terminal (7)Shibaura terminai (8)Hinode terminal (9)Takeshiba pier.

Then, you will arrive at Tsukiji or the mouth of Sumida River. They are the west part of the bay in Tokyo territory (Tokyo Bay is surrounded also by Kanagawa and Chiba Prefectures).
Today’s walk was from point (6) to (9).

Suzhou (off off Tokyo): Nov. 6-8, 2011

I visited Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It locates about 100 kilometers west from Shanghai.

Suzhou is known as a “Venice of East”. The city is in a water-rich area. Yangtze River flows north of the city while Lake Tai and other smaller lakes lie around the city.


Big and small canals run through the city.


I had a walk along Shantang Street, one of the most famous old streets in the city, in the early morning (it was unfortunately rainy). A canal runs along the street.

There were open-air markets. Fishes were sold in basins or on papers. Famous Shanghai hairy crab was gathered in a net and sold. Vegetables, fruits and sweets were also sold. Children walked to their schools. It was active and noisy.

The water moves slowly in the canal. The walls of the houses along the canal were painted white. A boat was moving along the canal to pick up leaves and rubbishes.

I saw many other canals – big ones and small ones – during my walk in the city. Some canals kept old atmosphere while others were redeveloped for tourists.

Suzhou is also famous for its gardens. The classical gardens of Suzhou are registered as a world heritage.


I visited Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lion Grove Garden.


Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest in the city. The combination of ponds, trees, rocks, and buildings was beautiful and impressive.

Lion Grove Garden was decorated with many rocks in unique shapes.

There were many Chinese tourists in both gardens.

There are new industrial zones developing outside the city. The Jiangsu Province government has been successful in inviting foreign companies and in developing industries. The city is rapidly changing.