Tokyo · Asakusa and Sumida
Sumida Park
Sumida Park stretches along both banks of the Sumida River, from Azuma Bridge to Sakura Bridge, about a kilometer on each side. It is on the list of Japan's one hundred cherry blossom sites, and the reason is clear the moment you see the pink avenue with Skytree behind it.
The east bank, on the Sumida Ward side, sits on the grounds of an estate of the Tokugawa family of Mito, which was destroyed in the 1923 earthquake. The last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, photographed the estate himself. On this side there are trees that bloom early and trees that bloom late, so the blossom season there is longer.
At the end of July the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is held here, about 20 thousand fireworks from two sites along the river. The rest of the year it is simply the place to sit with something sweet from one of the old shops of Mukojima and watch the boats go by.
Good to know
- The pedestrian bridge Sumida River Walk, beside the Tobu railway bridge, connects the Asakusa bank to the Skytree bank in five minutes.
- In the evening, from the Asakusa bank, Skytree is lit up above the river. This is the view of the tower for free.
- In sakura season, come before 09:00 to find a place to sit. The exact date changes from year to year.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Sumida Park.
- HereSumida Park
- ~3 min
Sumida River Walk Street
A pedestrian bridge beside the Tobu railway bridge, which connects the two banks and gives an open view of the river in both directions.
- ~3 min
Sumida River Cruise More to see
A 40-minute cruise from Asakusa to Hamarikyu or to Odaiba, passing under 12 colorful bridges.
- ~6 min
Tokyo Mizumachi Street
A row of shops and cafes under the Tobu railway bridge, along a small canal between the river and Skytree. Opened in 2020.
- ~7 min
Ichiya Tokyo Mizumachi Cafe
The cafe of a Japanese confectionery from the neighborhood. Daifuku and dorayaki to take to the park, or kakigori in summer.
- ~9 min
Ushijima Shrine More to see
A statue of an ox that you rub on the spot where your own body hurts, and a rare triple torii gate. It is also the guardian shrine of Skytree.
- ~15 min
Kototoi Dango Food
A dango shop from the late Edo period, on the east bank. The set is three dumplings that are not too sweet, red bean, white bean and miso, about ¥720 with tea.
More in Asakusa and Sumida
Appears in: Asakusa, Ueno and Skytree: old Tokyo in one day