Sumida River, Tokyo

4 more images

In Edo times, the Sumida river was crucial to survival. Now, with modern transportation it has lost its importance for the purposes of comerce. It does however, offer a different perspective on Tokyo's skyline and makes for a good tourist attraction. We took the water bus from Hama Detatched Palace Garden to Asakusa. It is a nice trip, passing under several bridges and providing some lovely views of the city and the cherry blossoms along the canal edge. Boats travel in both directions, so you can plan your day to suit your own itinerary. We were lucky enough to be in Tokyo during cherry blossom season and the river was full of people partying on boats. It made for a very friendly trip, with much waving and cheering back and forth!

4 more images

If you go to Asakusa than you should make one way buy train but the other one with the water bus! This short trip on the river gives you a great view of the city's bridges and bulidings. It is way nicer than the train! I took the Water Bus from Asakusa to the city and after a shor but very pleasant walk I was in Ginza ... It's a great trip!

Take a look at Tokyo from the water. With this cruise you can go from Asakusa to Hamarikiyu and/or vice versa. At the garden of Hamarikiyu you'll have to pay an entrance fee (about 300 yen). The cruise lasts about 35 minutes.

Don't miss the Summer firework in Asakusa - Sumidagawa hanabi Daikai in July. Check internet for exact date, the event usually starts from 7pm.

See how the 20,000 fireworks light up the whole sky along the Sumida river.

The SUMIDA RIVER is one of these tributaries and the Edo culture is said to have grown along it.
Spring brings cherry blossoms,summer fireworks and winter snow to the SUMIDA. Boat tours of the Sumida start from a pier near Azuma Bridge.

Cruise the Sumida River and take a look at its 12 bridges all the way from Odaiba to Asakusa. All of them are different from each other, you won't see twice the same bridge. The cruise is less than an hour but it's very interesting.

takes a waterbus from Asakusa about 40 min to cruise down the Sumida River to Hama-rikyu Garden, and another 10 min to reach Hinode Pier. Embark at Azumabashi Bridge near subway Asakusa Stn. One or two boats per hour depart 9:50-19:00. The fare to Hama-rikyu is ¥620 plus ¥300 admission to the garden; to Hinode Pier, 660. To go the other way, embark at Hinode Pier or at Hama-rikyu. Hinode Pier is an 8 min walk from JR Hamamatsucho Stn. (Sunny/ 2002)

One of the highlights of the Tokyo summer is the firework show over the Sumida river in August. The annual event attracts thousands, perhaps even millions, to the banks of the river. Old Cliffie was there, with a pretty girl and a can of Sapporo, to watch the soaring rockets and swirling showers of lights and colours. Perhaps Sydney did it better for the new millennium - but Tokyo does this every year.