From Otemachi to MonzenNakaCho or Asakusa Bashi

10.8 km in Total Length

Edo Nihonbashi walk (Otemachi – Yoiroibashi)

From Otemachi, cross Nihonbashi, the center of Edo, along the flow of the Nihonbashi River. The Bank of Japan is the site of the Shogunate’s Kinza. The Mitsukoshi main store is built on the site of the former Mitsui Echigoya. Nihonbashi was the economic center of the Edo period. Cross Nihonbashi from the north bank of the Nihonbashi River, which was once a popular fishing bank, and head to Kabutocho, Japan’s Wall Street. The predecessor of the Tokyo Stock Exchange was the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which was established in 1878.

Ningyocho Hamacho walk (Yoroi Bridge – Shin-Ohashi Bridge)

After crossing the Yoroibashi Bridge is Ningyocho. This is a theater district where the Nakamura and Ichimura theaters competed in their performances during the Edo period. Amazake Yokocho, which leads to Hamacho, retains the atmosphere of a traditional downtown area. Pass by Meiji-za, which inherits the tradition of the theater district, and head to Hamacho Park. From here, cross the New World and cross the Sumida River.

Walk around Fukagawa Bashoan (Shin-Ohashi Bridge to Kiyosumi Garden)

The bridge to the New World was established in Genroku 6 (1693). It is the third bridge built over the Sumida River, following Senju Ohashi Bridge and Ryogoku Bridge. A little earlier, in 1680, the haiku poet Matsuo Basho left Edo and retired to Fukagawa. Basho-an was located at the foot of Mannenbashi Bridge, which spans the Onagigawa River. The Basho Memorial Museum exhibits a large number of materials related to Basho.

Stroll around downtown Fukagawa (Kiyosumi Garden – Monzennakacho)

Kiyosumi Garden is the former villa of the wealthy merchant Kinokuniya Bunzaemon. Bunzaemon’s grave is located in Seido-in Temple nearby. Fukagawa was once a town of water transportation and lumber. The waterway network excavated during the Edo period was also used as a wood storage area for Kiba, giving rise to the traditional performing art “Kiba no Kaku-nori.” Currently, Koto City’s “Water City Water Bus” runs through these waterways.

A walk in front of the book collection (Shinohashi-Asakusabashi)

From the foot of Shin-Ohashi Bridge, head north to Ryogoku Hirokoji, the biggest entertainment area in Edo. Along the way, Eko-in Temple is the venue for Edo Kanjin Sumo. Sumo at that time was an outdoor entertainment event. Hirokoji, which stretches from east to west near Ryogoku Bridge, has been a mecca for fireworks viewing since then. From here, it goes further north to Kuramae Bridge and crosses over to Kuramae, where the shogunate’s rice warehouses were located.

About the Author

Pjechorin

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I have lived and worked with my family in Japan since 2005. For many years I have been interested in the very practical and creative side of Japanese culture. In my free time I travel around, enjoy hiking in the countryside and cities, and just generally seeing and doing new things. This blog is primarily a way for me to focus my energies and record and teach others about what I have learned by experience constructively. I am interested in urban development, and sustainable micro-economics, especially home-economics, and practical things everyday families can do to survive and thrive through these changing times.