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Culture and sightseeing
History
Fukagawa is located near Nihombashi (Tokyo's official center), right on the
other side of Eitai bridge on the Sumida river. Like Asakusa, it is called "shitamachi", which is the old traditional
Tokyo. Have a look at the history of Fukagawa during the Edo period. The Fukagawa Edo Museum is small, but gives you a good idea of how life was in Tokyo during the Edo period
(1600-1868).
Temples, shrines and festivals
Fukagawa's greatest shinto shrine is the Tomioka Hachimangu (Japanese homepage). It was built in 1627 and rivals easily the Yasukuni or Meiji Shrine in splendour.
It's just a short walk from Monzennakacho Station (Tozai-line or Oedo-line). You'll first past the Fukagawa Fudodo (Japanese homepage), another significant attraction and the district biggest Buddhist temple.
The Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri (check this photo essay by Philbert
Ono) is one of Tokyo's 3 most famous festivals, along with the Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa)
and the Kanda Matsuri. 55 "mikoshi" (portable shrines), representing all of Fukagawa's districts, are carried on
the main avenue "Eitai Dori" (Tokyo's road number 1, going eastwards from the Imperial Palace to Chiba prefecture). Hundreds
of thousands of people come to watch it, as it is held only once every three years (the last time was in August 2002).
Spectators happily throw water on the mikoshi carriers to refresh them of the heat of summer.
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| Kiyosumi garden |
Gardens and parks
The Kiyosumi Garden dates back from the 17th century and is one of the most pleasant traditional Japanese garden in Tokyo. It has a teahouse
on the pond, from where colourful carps and turtles will ask you for food.
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