Last updated March 31, 2024
Exploring the past and present in Sumida
18. Ryogoku-Oshiage
The Sumida River was once the border between two great provinces, Shimosa and Musashi. During the Edo period, a unique culture centered on the merchant class flourished along its banks, and the rich atmosphere lingers here to this day. In recent years, the area has drawn attention as the home of the popular spot TOKYO SKYTREE.
- Joto
- Culture/History
- Downtown
- Shopping
Route
Select a spot to see details such as tourist information and barrier-free information.
- Start JRRyogoku Station [West Exit]
About 5 minutes on foot
About 300 meters - Spot1 Former Yasuda Garden
About 1 minutes on foot
About 80 meters - Bus Stop Sumida Loop Bus Nambu RouteToukenhakubutsukan(kyuYasudateien)
Douaikinenbyouin Bus Stop
About 27 minutes by bus
13th stop - Bus Stop Sumida Loop Bus Nambu RouteSumida Kuyakusho (Katsu Kaishu-zo Iriguchi) Bus Stop
About 3 minutes on foot
About 150 meters - Spot2 Sumida Park
About 5 minutes on foot
About 280 meters - Spot3 Ushijima-jinja Shrine
About 15 minutes on foot
About 860 meters - Spot4 TOKYO SKYTREE
Elevator
- Spot5 TOKYO Solamachi
Direct access from TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN®
- Goal Toei Subway/Tokyo Metro/Tobu/KeiseiOshiage Station
- Information used in the creation of this website was current as of January 2023
- Indicated route travel times are calculated based on a speed of about 60 meters/minute
Route Details
There is also useful information for when you actually visit a spot, such as the time required, details on restrooms, and travel time between spots.
Explanation of PictogramsNote Items are indicated in dark blue if applicable.
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- Wheelchair-accessible restroom (located within the ticket gates at train and subway stations unless noted otherwise)
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- Nursing area (with diaper-changing table, unless noted otherwise)
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- Written communication possible through communication boards or paper
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- Osotomate-friendly facility
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- Parking for the impaired
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- Explanations, etc. available through tactile maps or in Braille
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Start JR Ryogoku Station [West Exit]
The course starts at the West Exit of JR Ryogoku Station.
For station details, refer to the website of the East Japan Railway Company. -
About 5 minutes on foot
About 300 meters -
Spot1 Former Yasuda Garden
Thought to have been developed during the Genroku era (1688-1703), this large garden for strolling has a tidal pond at its center.
Accessibility Information
There are many uneven surfaces, etc., however, the path from the entrance to the area around the pond is wheelchair-accessible and offers a view of the whole garden.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom inside rest house Restroom Information
There is a wheelchair-accessible restroom (with ostomate facilities and diaper-changing station) available in the garden.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-5608-6661 (Sumida-ku Roads and Parks Department)
- Address
- 1-12-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Free
- Hours
- 9:00-19:30 (open until 18:00 October through March)
- Closed days
- None
- Official Website
- http://visit-sumida.jp/spot/6085/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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About 1 minutes on foot
About 80 meters Travel Tips From the Toukenhakubutsukan(kyuYasudateien)Douaikinenbyouin bus stop, take the Sumida Loop Bus Nambu Route (Ryogoku/Kinshicho Route) and get off at the Sumida Kuyakusho (Katsu Kaishu-zo Iriguchi) bus stop. Go over the bridge and cross the street at the first traffic light to get to Sumida Park. Sumida Loop Bus Nambu RouteToukenhakubutsukan(kyuYasudateien)Douaikinenbyouin Bus Stop
About 27 minutes by bus
13th stop Sumida Loop Bus Nambu Route Sumida Kuyakusho (Katsu Kaishu-zo Iriguchi) Bus Stop
About 3 minutes on foot
About 150 meters -
Spot2 Sumida Park About 30 minutes
Stretching along the east bank of the Sumida River, this park opened in 1931 on the former site of the gardens of the Mito Tokugawa clan’s Tokyo residence. Since the Edo period, the area has been well-known for its cherry trees along the river.
Accessibility Information
The plaza on the south side of the Japanese garden is wheelchair accessible. Some dirt-paved paths may become muddy on rainy days.
Restroom Information
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms (with ostomate facilities and diaper-changing station) are located inside the park on the south side of the Japanese garden, in the Kototoibashi public restroom along National Route 6.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-5608-6661 (Sumida-ku Roads and Parks Department Planning Coordination Section)
- Address
- 1, 2, and 5 Mukojima, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Free
- Hours
- Unrestricted
- Closed days
- None
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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About 5 minutes on foot
About 280 meters -
Spot3 Ushijima-jinja Shrine About 20 minutes
This historic shrine is thought to have been constructed in 860 by the Buddhist priest Jikaku. Built entirely from Japanese cypress in the gongen-zukuri style of Shinto architecture, it is famous for its Nadeushi cow statue. Touch the part of the cow’s body where you yourself suffer from an ailment, and it is said that the statue will heal you.
Accessibility Information
The shrine grounds are flat and paved, making them easily wheelchair-accessible. The Nadeushi (healing cow statue) is on a base, so wheelchair users may not be able to touch it directly. There are steps up to the Main Hall and the ritual handwashing trough.
Restroom Information
There is no restrooms on the premises.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-3622-0973
- Address
- 1-4-5 Mukojima, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Free entry to grounds
- Hours
- Free entry to grounds
- Closed days
- None
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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About 15 minutes on foot
About 860 meters Travel Tips As you proceed along Koume Ushijima-dori Street from the Ushijima Jinja intersection, you will be able to see TOKYO SKYTREE ahead of you. Watch out for cars as there is no guardrail. -
Spot4 TOKYO SKYTREE® About 1 hour
TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower with a height of 634 meters. Visitors can ascend to the TEMBO DECK at 350 meters and even further to the TEMBO GALLERIA, a skywalk located at a height of 450 meters, giving you the feeling of walking in the air. The views are breathtaking.
Accessibility Information
The entire facility is barrier-free. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms with diaper-changing stations (adult changing table) can be found near the 1st floor Group ticket counter on the first floor and ticket counter on the fourth floor.
*For mobility-impaired parking, use the TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® parking area.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom on east side of 1st floor Group Ticket Counter Restroom Information
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms (with ostomate facilities) and Regular diaper-changing stations are located on the 1st, 4th, and 5th floors; TEMBO DECK Floors 340, 345, and 350; and TEMBO GALLERIA Floor 450. Regular diaper-changing stations those on the 1st and 4th floors can be used by adults.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- TOKYO SKYTREE Call Center: 0570-55-0634 (11:00 - 18:00)
- Address
- 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Same-day adult tickets for the TEMBO DECK: ¥2,100 (holidays: ¥2,300);
fixed date/ticket sold in advance: ¥1,800 (holidays: ¥2,000). Combo tickets
for the TEMBO DECK and TEMBO GALLERIA are available. Both have
discounts for the disabled people available. Inquire for details.
Disability rates are available for both. - Hours
- Monday to Saturday : 10:00 - 22:00 (admission until 21:00)
Sunday and public holiday : 9:00 - 22:00 (admission until 21:00) - Closed days
- None
- Official Website
- https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Elevator
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Spot5 TOKYO Solamachi® About 1 hour
There is a large shopping complex at the base of TOKYO SKYTREE. It contains over 300 establishments including restaurants, fashion boutiques, and shops selling miscellaneous goods.
Accessibility Information
Priority elevators for wheelchair users are available. The visitor-friendly facility has tactile paving and maps, and easy-to-understand signage. There are also many benches near the escalators and on the terrace.
Restroom Information
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms (with ostomate facilities and diaper-changing stations) are available on all floors except B3 and the 10th floor.
You can check real-time information about available and crowded restrooms using the following link.
https://vacan.com/en/building/ywre41z9Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0570-55-0102 (TOKYO Solamachi Call Center) (11:00 - 18:00)
- Address
- 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku
- Hours
- Entire building open 10:00-21:00 (restaurants on the 6th-7th and 30th-31st floors are open 11:00-23:00); differs for some stores
- Closed days
- Irregular holidays
- Official Website
- https://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/english/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Direct access from TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN®
Travel Tips The B3 level of Tokyo Solamachi is directly connected to Oshiage Station (all lines) for comfortable passage during rainy weather. -
Goal Toei Subway/Tokyo Metro/Tobu/Keisei
Oshiage StationThe course finishes at Toei Subway/Tokyo Metro/Tobu/Keisei Oshiage Station.
For station details, refer to the Toei Subway website operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Transportation and the Tokyo Metro website, the Tobu website, and the Keisei website.Toei Subway website operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Transportation
Sightseeing spots in the area between
Ryogoku and Oshiage
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Spot6 Sumo Museum
Changed six times a year, the exhibits here consist of precious artifacts relating to sumo wrestling, including woodblock prints, rankings lists, and kesho-mawashi, the embroidered ceremonial aprons worn by wrestlers in the uppermost divisions.
Accessibility Information
The exhibition space consists of one room with a flat floor. The exhibits are at a height easily visible to wheelchair users. One free rental wheelchair is available.
Restroom Information
There are no wheelchair-accessible restrooms available inside the museum building.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-3622-0366
- Address
- Kokugikan 1F, 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Free (sumo tournament tickets needed during Tokyo Grand Tournaments in January, May, and September)
- Hours
- 10:00-16:30 (admission until 16:00)
- Closed days
- Weekends and public holidays as well as other temporary closings (no closings during Tokyo Grand Tournaments)
- Official Website
- http://www.sumo.or.jp/KokugikanSumoMuseum/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Spot8 Yokoamicho Park
Historic structures and precious documents are preserved in this park that commemorates the victims of natural disasters and war.
Accessibility Information
The entrances to the Ireido (Hall of Repose) and Reconstruction Memorial Hall are sloped. There is a nursing room in the Reconstruction Memorial Hall. The guide video in the Ireido has Japanese subtitles. Contact the park in advance to use a parking space for visitors with impairments, etc.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom on 1st floor of Reconstruction Memorial Hall Restroom Information
There are wheelchair-accessible restrooms in the park and at the back of the 1st floor of Reconstruction Memorial Hall (with diaper-changing stations). Both are available 9:00 - 16:30.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-3622-1208 (Yokoamicho Park Office)
- Address
- 2-3-25 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- The park, Tokyo Memorial Hall, and Reconstruction Memorial Hall are all free
- Hours
- Park: Always open
Tokyo Memorial Hall: 9:00 - 16:30
Reconstruction Memorial Hall: 9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30) - Closed days
- Park: None
Reconstruction Memorial Hall: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a national holiday) - Official Website
- https://tokyoireikyoukai.or.jp/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Spot9 Sumida Heritage Museum
This museum displays artifacts and materials related to the history and folklore of Sumida City, which developed around the Sumida River.
Accessibility Information
Elevators offer access to exhibition rooms on the 1st through 3rd floors. The corridors are wide and the exhibits are at a height easily visible to wheelchair users. One rental wheelchair is available.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom on 3rd floor Restroom Information
There is a wheelchair-accessible restroom located near the stairs on the 3rd floor.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-5619-7034
- Address
- 2-3-5 Mukojima, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- ¥100 (free for visitors with impairments; inquire for details)
- Hours
- 9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
- Closed days
- Mondays and the 4th Tuesday of each month (the following day if they are national holidays) as well as some other temporary closings
- Official Website
- https://www.city.sumida.lg.jp/sisetu_info/siryou/kyoudobunka/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Spot10 Mimeguri-jinja Shrine
Built in the early Heian period, this shrine was established as the guardian shrine of Tokyo by the Mitsui Family during the Edo period.
Accessibility Information
The stone monument in the rear is not accessible to wheelchair users, but visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere around the main shrine. Written requests may not be supported if there are too many worshipers.
Restroom Information
There is no restrooms on the premises.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-3622-2672
- Address
- 2-5-17 Mukojima, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- Free entry to grounds
- Hours
- 9:00-17:00 (until 16:30 November 1st through February, except January 1st to 7th)
- Closed days
- None
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
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Spot11 SUMIDA AQUARIUM
This aquarium designed around the concept of “the closer you get, the more you like it” is home to approximately 7,000 aquatic lifeforms from 260 different species.
Accessibility Information
The wheelchair-accessible restrooms in the aquarium contain diaper-changing stations (adult changing table). The exhibits are designed for visitors to enjoy close-up views.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom near entrance on 5th floor Restroom Information
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms (with ostomate facilities and diaper-changing stations (multipurpose bench)) are located inside the aquarium on the each floor.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 03-5619-1821
- Address
- TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN Solamachi 5-6F, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku
- Fee
- ¥2,500 (may be discounted for visitors with impairments; inquire for details)
- Hours
- 10:00 - 20:00 (Monday - Friday)
9:00 - 21:00 (Sundays and national holidays) (admission until 1 hour before closing) - Closed days
- None (closes for maintenance, etc.)
- Official Website
- http://www.sumida-aquarium.com/en/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.