Sumida River is one of Tokyo’s representative rivers, flowing through several wards including Sumida and Taito wards, and is especially famous for cherry blossoms in spring and fireworks at summer.
Tokyo Skytree, Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Beer Hall
It is located about a five-minute walk from Asakusa, where Sensoji Temple is located, and is known for the view of the Tokyo Sky Tree on the other side of the river on the Asakusa side.
Sumida Park, located on both the Taito City and Sumida City sides of the Sumida River, is planted with approximately 1,000 cherry trees and has been a popular cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period (1603-1868).
In summer, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, said to be the oldest fireworks display in Japan, is held here. (In recent years, it has been canceled due to the effects of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.)
Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival
The Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival is held from late March to early April every spring in Sumida Park, which has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. (In 2024, the festival will be held from March 16 (Sat) to April 7 (Sun).
The “Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival” features food stalls and is crowded with cherry blossom-viewing visitors and revelers.
After sunset, the cherry blossoms and lanterns are illuminated, and the combination of the nighttime cherry blossoms and the Tokyo Skytree provide a symbolic view of the Sumida River.
Yakatabune
On the Sumida River, visitors can board a Japanese houseboat called “Yakatabune” and enjoy a banquet of mainly Japanese food such as tempura and sashimi, as well as drinks, while admiring the view of Tokyo.
The yakatabune culture in Tokyo has its roots in the Edo period and is a traditional culture of the Sumida River that continues to this day.
While reservations are required to board a Yakatabune, some plans accept same-day reservations if space is available.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
At Sumida River, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival will be held in July.
The 2023 event will be held on Saturday, July 29, and approximately 20,000 fireworks are expected to be launched.
Please be aware that the surrounding area is expected to be extremely crowded on the day of event.
INFORMATION
NAME
Sumida River (隅田川)
ADDRESS
1 Chome Hanakawado, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0033 (Sumida Park)
ACCESS
1 minute walk from Tokyo Metro, Toei Transportation and TOBU Railway Asakusa Station.
9 minute walk from Tokyo Skytree Station.
10 minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station.
STATION INFO
(Tokyo Metro) Asakusa Station
Ginza Line
(Toei Transportation) Asakusa Station
Asakusa Line
(TOBU Railway) Asakusa Station
TOBU SKYTREE Line
(TOBU Railway) Tokyo Skytree Station
TOBU SKYTREE Line
(Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company) Asakusa Station
Tsukuba Express