Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

CENTR AL T OK Y O  73

during his visit in 1879 and here, and to take a number of
sipped green tea in Nakajima other trips around Tokyo Bay.
teahouse. From Hinode the boat starts
The garden grounds back up the river, passing first
surround ing the duck ponds between Tsukiji and Tsukuda
are still a pleasant, uncrowded island, which escaped the
place to stroll and sit. All of worst of the World War II
the original teahouses and bombing and remains a
villas, trees, and vegetation center of old Edo culture.
burned down after a bombing During the trip the boat
raid on November 29, 1944. passes under 12 bridges,
Nakajima teahouse has been each painted a different color.
faithfully rebuilt, appearing It is still possible to glimpse
to float over the large pond. people in the narrow parks
Green tea and Japanese that line most of the banks
sweets are available here. beyond the sea walls.
Near Asakusa there are long,
low boats that take out groups The soaring Tokyo Tower, offering
5 Sumida River Trip for lantern-lit evening cruises. spectacular views of the city
Sumida River Trip
southeasterly direction. The
Map 5 C4, 4 F3. 4 every 25–35 6 Shiba Park and present-day building dates
mins; from Hama-rikyu Gardens Tokyo Tower from 1974; nearby are the
10:30am–4:15pm; from Asakusa rebuilt Daimon (big gate)
9:50am–6pm. Tel (0120) 977-311. & Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower
and the Sanmon (great
∑ suijobus.co.jp/price/index.html
Map 5 A4, 2 F5.  Shibakoen stn, gate, 1622).
During the Edo period almost Toei Mita line. Tokyo Tower:  Aka- To the west of the park is
all commerce came to Tokyo via bane bashi stn, Oedo line. Tel (03) Tokyo Tower. Completed in
its waterways. As wheeled 3433-5111. Open 9am–11pm daily. 1958, at 333 m (1,093 ft) tall,
transport, particularly the & (extra for higher viewpoint). it is higher than the Eiffel
railways, grew, the rivers ∑ tokyotower.co.jp Tower in Paris, on which it is
and canals declined. based. The ground floor has
The city’s main river, the Shiba Park is a rather frag- an aquarium and elevators
Sumida, has been cleaned up to mented green space. A large to the observation deck.
an extent, and river traffic is on part of it is a golf driving range, Other floors house amuse-
the increase again. A little-seen but a portion in the east is ments. You can visit two
view of Tokyo is available on the pleasantly landscaped with viewpoints – the main one
river trip from Hama-rikyu woods and a water course. The at 150 m (492 ft) and a higher
Gardens to Asakusa in Northern park used to be the Tokugawa one at 250 m (820 ft), with
Tokyo. The boat squeezes family’s grave yard. At its center more spectac ular views.
through a gate in the sea wall is Zojo-ji, the family temple of Be sure to go on a clear day.
into the open water where the the Tokugawas. It was founded As a lofty symbol of the city,
Sumida river meets Tokyo Bay. in 1393 and Ieyasu moved it Tokyo Tower has been usurped
Hinode Pier is the first stop – here in 1598 to protect his by the 634 m (2,080 ft) Tokyo
it is also possible to start from new capital spiritually from a Sky Tree completed in 2012.

Tokyo’s skyline from the vantage point of the Sumida River

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