Mukojima used to flourish as geisha district during the Edo period. The place is known for its sakura that during spring, many people visit to have a look of them. Today, I will introduce a walking plan from Mukojima Hyakka Garden, walking by several shrine of Shichifukujin close to Sumida River. It is a course through nostalgic back alley.

First I head for Mukojima Hyakka Garden. It is the only garden from Edo period that is still preserved and about 600 types of flower can be enjoyed throughout the year. Sakura will bloom beautifully during spring.

Sakura was still a bud in end of March.

Ume was blooming.

Shirahime Shrine close from Mukojima Hyakka Garden. The warm calm feeling filled the atmosphere. The dog owned by the shrine was cute.

The main building was rebuilt in 19921.

A kibidango dumpling shop, Kibikoya, that call themselves the best kibidango in Japan.
Try the dumpling yourself. It is closed on Monday so be careful when to visit.

It was closed this day.

Walking by Bokutei Street, I reached Hato-no-machi Street shopping district. There are many old buildings left and the scenery of many local people walking by make you forget that you are in Tokyo.

Street of the shopping district

Next is Hagoita Museum. Observing the chic style of the Edo artisan may be a good idea.

After going back to Bokutei Street, I head toward Sumida Park baseball field. This baseball field is known as a place where Oh Sadaharu practiced. Little kids practice baseball on the weekends.

The field.

The entrance is in an old-style.

Near the baseball field is Kototoi Dango, a dango dumpling shop that has been opened for six generation. It is located near Sumida River so stopping by during a walk will be nice.

Then I will head to Chomei Temple and Kofuku Temple.
Chomei Temple enshrines Benzaiten, one of the seven gods (Shichifukujin) of Sumida. The main building has been burned down by the war.
Right next to it is Kofuku Temple. You can feel the long history in the old building.

Chomei Temple

Kofuku Temple

If you head toward Sumida River from here, you will find a unique X-shaped Sakura Bridge, which connects the Sumida Park that is divided by the Sumida River. You can see the Sky Tree from here. There were people taking picture. The view from here is great.

The Sky Tree seen from Sakura Bridge.

Kenban Street used to be the main area of Mukojima geisha district. If you are lucky, you may encounter a real geisha.

Kenban Street

Mimeguri Shrine that enshrines Ebisu and Daikokuten of Sumida Shichifukujin. Statue of a lion attracts your attention. This shrine seems to have some relation with Mitsukoshi. You can feel relaxed here.

The lion statue.

There are exhibitions that show the history and culture of Sumida ward at Sumida Heritage Museum. People who have relation to Sumida ward are introduced as well.

Tohenbokuan sells many types of kite.

The last stop is Sky Tree that is still on construction. There were many tourist that were here to take picture. The Sky Tree up close was astonishing. My neck got hurt looking at it for a long time

Sky Tree still on construction

It is the tallest radio tower with height of 634m.

There was an interesting park near by. The ship-shaped object and the long slide was unique. However, I couldn’t get in because it the park was closed due to the earthquake.

Spending a slow day at Shitamachi was very refreshing.