[Tokyo ]3 popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Sumida-ku in early spring.
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2025-02-27
The custom of viewing cherry blossoms has become firmly established as a springtime tradition in Japan. Countless numbers of cherry blossom viewing spots are scattered throughout Japan. In Sumida-ku, Tokyo, there are also numerous cherry blossom viewing spots. Among them, we would like to introduce the east bank of the Sumida River from Sakurabashi to Azuma-bashi Bridge, Sumida Park, which is popular among Tokyo residents as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and "Oshinari Park "just below Tokyo Skytree.
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Sumida River (east bank from Sakurabashi to Azuma-bashi)
A 1-kilometer-long cherry blossom tunnel that connects along the Sumida River
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In early spring, many of you may find yourself humming the lyrics of "Sumida River in the Urara of Spring ". This is the beginning of "Hana ", a masterpiece by Rentaro Taki, who actively adopted Western musical styles and composed music in the Meiji era. Although cherry blossoms do not appear in the lyrics, you will naturally think of cherry blossoms blooming on the banks of the Sumida River. Taki Rentaro must have walked along the Sumida River.
The Sumida River splits from the Arakawa River at the Iwafuchi sluice gate in Tokyo's Kita Ward and flows across seven wards into Tokyo Bay. There are a number of bridges of different designs along its approximately 23.5-kilometer flow. Eleven bridges span the stream from the east bank of the river in Sumida Ward. From upstream, there are Shirahige-bashi Bridge, Sakura-bashi Bridge, Kototoi-bashi Bridge, Hanakawatoto Railway Bridge, Azuma-bashi Bridge, Komagata-bashi Bridge, Umayabashi Bridge, Kuramae-bashi Bridge, Kuramae Senyo Bridge, Sumida River Bridge Sumida River Bridge, and Ryogoku Bridge. Among these bridges, cherry trees are densely planted along the 1-kilometer stretch from Sakura-bashi Bridge to Azuma-bashi Bridge. A tunnel of cherry blossoms is usually formed along the Sumida River from early March to early April. The "Sumizutsumi Sakura Festival "is held in conjunction with the best viewing time.Cherry tree planting started by Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8th shogun of the Edo Shogunate
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The planting of cherry trees along the Sumida River dates back to the Edo period. The 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, issued an order to plant cherry trees along both banks of the Sumida River. Since then, the common people have enjoyed cherry blossom viewing in the lap of the Edo shogunate. Yoshimune's "Kyoho Reforms "led to frugality and correction of manners and customs, and while severely restricting the venues of entertainment for the common people, such as kabuki and pleasure houses, he also provided a new wholesome pastime: hanami (cherry-blossom viewing). By the Edo period (1603-1867), the culture of cherry blossom viewing had completely taken root, and the rows of cherry trees along the Sumizutsumi-gawa riverbank have a history of nearly 300 years. 2012 saw the completion of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the symbol of modern Tokyo, in Oshiage, Sumida-ku, which modernized the scenery over the cherry blossoms on the riverbank. Visitors can see Tokyo's continuing development. Known as one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots over the century, it would be impossible to count the number of people who have enjoyed cherry blossoms here. "It has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan "and seems to have won an unshakeable reputation as a cherry blossom viewing spot.
Cherry blossoms covering the east bank from Sakurabashi to Azumabashi Bridge
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The rows of cherry trees along the Sumida River extend from the Sakura Bridge area downstream along the river's course. Sakura Bridge, the only pedestrian-only bridge on the Sumida River, was completed in 1985 and has a unique X-shaped structure. On the Sumida-ku side of the east bank of the Sakura Bridge, there is a row of around 343 cherry trees facing south. The Taito Ward side is also lined with around 600 cherry trees, which create a symmetrical coloring of the Sumida River from both banks. When the cherry blossoms are at their best, many people come and go to enjoy the cherry blossoms on both banks.
From Sakurabashi Bridge, over Kototoi Bridge and Hanakawado Railway Bridge to Azuma Bridge, Sumizutsumi is filled with cherry trees. Wherever you walk, light red blossoms cover your head.
Lanterns are hung to connect the cherry blossoms, creating a Japanese atmosphere.
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The promenade built on the bank is not wide, and there is no open space, so it may be difficult to lay out leisure sheets to enjoy hanami. But during the "Sumitsutsumi Cherry Blossom Festival ", numerous stalls will be lined up. Some of them are equipped with chairs and tables, so you can enjoy eating and drinking there.
When the setting sun illuminates the Sumida River in early spring, the lanterns connecting the rows of cherry trees are lit and illuminated. The cherry blossoms floating in the night sky are fantastic and will surely enhance the mood of cherry blossom viewing.Cherry blossoms viewed from the river on a houseboat
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An even more attractive way to view cherry blossoms on the Sumida River is to take a yakatabune and enjoy the cherry blossoms on both banks from the river's surface. Boarding stations are located everywhere along the Sumida River and its tributaries, and dozens of boat companies operate cruising boats. Each company has its own unique design, seating, observation deck, course, and travel time, so you will be able to find a plan that appeals to you. On the mealtime yatai boats, chefs will be on board with you, serving up sashimi, tempura, steaks, and other dishes. Some plans include monjayaki on the menu. The experience of riding the river's murmuring currents and feeling the time pass by in a leisurely manner is sure to be an irreplaceable one. You will surely feel a sense of the season that you cannot experience at cherry blossom viewing spots.
Sumida Park
Sumida Park, developed from the ruins of the Mito Tokugawa family's Edo villa
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The Sumida River has an endless row of cherry trees along its banks, and between Kototoi Bridge and Hanakawado Railroad Bridge, one downstream from Sakura Bridge, Sumida Park has been developed from the riverbank to the east. The 80,000-square-meter area is covered with cherry trees, which bloom at the same time as the cherry trees along the riverbank.
Sumida Park is located on the site where the Mito Tokugawa family of the "Tokugawa Gosanke "had their Edo Shimoyashiki, or Koume residence, during the Edo period. The family lived here for generations until it was completely destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, even though the mansion was severely damaged. The pond garden that still remains in the park today is a remnant of those days. After the Great Kanto Earthquake, the park was one of the first to be developed as part of Shinpei Goto's reconstruction project, along with Hamacho Park in Chuo Ward and Kinshi Park in Sumida Ward. The Tokyo Sky Tree can also be viewed from the park.
The free open space in the southern part of the park is maintained with grass, so it would be possible to lay out leisure sheets and open a hand-held lunch box here.Ushijima Shrine, where the nationally rare "three-wheeled torii (torii) "is erected
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Ushijima Shrine is located in the northern part of the park and was founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi, a great Buddhist priest. "In front of the worship hall, built in the Souhinoki Gongen-zukuri style, stands the Miwa-no-Torii ", which is unique in Japan. Smaller torii gates are set up on either side of the larger torii gate. You may change your mind before or after cherry blossom viewing and visit the shrine by going under the unusual torii.
"Facility Information "
Facility name Sumida Park
Address: 1-chome/2-chome/5-chome, Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Phone number 03-6657-5160 (Sumida Tourist Association)
Gardening material No material
Admission Free all day
Access 5 min. walk from "Asakusa Station (Tobu Skytree Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line) "
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Ushijima Shrine
Address: 1-4-5 Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Phone number 03-3622-0973
Access Toei Asakusa Line "Honjo-Azumabashi Station "approx. 3 min. walk / Tobu Skytree Line "approx. 3 min. walk from Tokyo Skytree Station "
Right under the Tokyo Skytree "Oshinari Park "
Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest in the world
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About 600 meters east of Sumida Park, the Tokyo Sky Tree rises into the blue sky and has been a symbol of Tokyo since its completion on February 29, 2012. At 634 meters tall, it is the tallest tower in the world.
Tokyo Sky Tree has two observation areas. At 350 meters above ground level, "Tokyo Sky Tree TEMBO DECK "is an open space with large glass windows over 5 meters high installed in a 360 degree angle, providing a panoramic view from the foot of the tower to a distance of approximately 70 kilometers. A further 100 meters higher at 450 meters above ground level, ", is the Tokyo Skytree TEMBO Kairo ( "), a tube-shaped glass corridor that gives visitors the sensation of walking in mid-air.
At the foot of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest tower, is Solamachi Square. The "Solamachi Sakura Festival "is held in conjunction with the cherry blossom viewing season, and a variety of events are planned.Oshinari Park "along the Kitajuma River that provides comfort at the foot of the tower. "
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The Kitajuma River flows to the south of Solamachi Square. This canal was opened in the early Edo period to connect the Sumida River to the west and the old Nakagawa River to the east. Less than 500 meters along the river, directly under the Tokyo Sky Tree, with Tobu Bridge at the west end and Keisei Bridge at the east end, is "Oshinari Park ", where a waterfront terrace and promenade have been developed. The terrace is lined with cherry trees that adorn the foot of the Sky Tree. The varieties are "Gotemba cherry ", "wild cherry ", "Milky Way "and so on. The blooming time is about a week later than Someiyoshino, so the cherry trees are in full bloom when the cherry trees in Sumida Park start to fall. You can feel the nature right under the tower, which was built with modern science and technology.
In the center of the terrace, the pedestrian-only "Oshinari Bridge "spans the Kitajuma River. It is a perfect spot to look up at the Sky Tree from up close without any obstacles. From the bridge, you can see the cherry blossoms and Sky Tree that seem to extend into the sky at the same root.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Tokyo Sky Tree
Address: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Access Tobu Skytree Line "Tokyo Skytree Station "immediately / Tobu Skytree Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Keisei Oshiage Line, Toei Asakusa Line "Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station "immediately
summary
In this article, we introduced the east bank of the Sumida River from Sakurabashi to Azuma-bashi Bridge, Sumida Park, and "Oshinari Park just below Tokyo Skytree "as the best places for cherry blossom viewing in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. The area from the Sumida River to the Tokyo Skytree seems to be a good collaboration of the Hanami tradition from the Edo period and the modern Tokyo Skytree. If you use a yakatabune (houseboat), you will be able to broaden your hanami options.
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