Maciamo Japan
Fukagawa

Guide to Fukagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo.

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Tomioka Hachiman-gu

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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. 
You will find more explanations in English in the Tokyo Classic's guide to Tomioka Hachiman Shrine and Fudodo Temple. A flea market is held between the Fudodo (also called Fudoson) and Hachimangu every 1st, 15th and 28th of each month.
 
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.
 
The Kiba park is the largest in Koto-ku and host the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art.

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Tomioka Hachiman-gu

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Fukagawa Fudoson

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Edo period Ukiyoe of Fukagawa

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Eitai-bashi is probably one of the most photographed bridge in Tokyo

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Banana tree at Basho-an, where world-famous poet Matsuo Basho retired.

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Devil at the Enmadou temple, Fukagawa

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Fukagawa map of the Edo period