Fukagawa area [深川]
Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
Fukagawa-don
1) Fukagawa Fudoson 2) Tomioka Hachimangu
3) Kiyosumi Gardens 4) Fukagawa Edo Museum
Fukagawa is the area on the east side of Sumida River, and is located about 3 km just east of Tokyo station.
Originally, here was a wetland near the mouth of Sumida River.
And, this area had been reclaimed in the early 17th century.
Then Tomioka Hachiman shrine was built in this area, and this town had developed.
In 1657, most of Edo city was destroyed by the great fire.
Then, for the reconstruction of Edo city, here became the distributing area of the lumbers through Sumida River from all over the country.
In this area, only the common people except samurai were lived, because here was a peripheral area of central Edo.
So vigorous urban culture developed.
Now Fukagawa area still has the mood of popular culture.
Additionally, Fukagawa-don is popular as the local food.
It is the simple dish that boiled clams and vegetables are topped on the rice.
There are the restaurants serving Fukagawa-don in Fukagawa area.
Fukagawa Fudoson temple (深川不動尊)
Fukagawa Fudoson
Ninjo-Fukagawa-Goriyaku Street
Fukagawa Fudoson is a Buddhist temple for Shingon sect, a major school of Japanese Buddhism.
It is the branch temple of Narita-san Shinshoji temple, the popular temple in Chiba Prefecture.
It is located about 200 meters east of Monzen-nakacho station of the subway.
This temple was built in 1882, and has enshrined the statue of Fudo-myoou which is one of the Buddhist statues and slays devils.
The approach about 150 meters between the entrance of the temple and Eitai Street is calls Ninjo-Fukagawa-Goriyaku Street.
There are about 40 shops selling Japanese products.
"Ninjo" means "human feeling" and "goriyaku" means "response from Buddha".
On the 1st, 15th and 28th of each month, the fairs are held around the temple.
Tomioka Hachiman shrine (富岡八幡宮)
Entrance gate of Tomioka Hachimangû
Main shrine of Tomioka Hachimangû
Tomioka Hachiman shrine is a Shinto shrine next to Fukagawa Fudoson temple.
In Japanese, it is called "Tomioka Hachimangû" or "Fukagawa Hachimangû".
This shrine was founded in 1627, when this area had been reclaiming.
Shogun of Edo government had protected this shrine and it became the popular shrine for the people in this area.
First Sumo tournament in Tokyo was held here in 1684, then it has been led to the current Grand Sumo Tournament.
So there are several monuments about sumo, and the new Yokozuna wrestler, promoted to the highest rank of grand champion, dedicates the ceremony of entering the ring to this shrine.
Monuments about sumo
Displaying Mikoshi
And around August 15th every year, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, one of the major festivals in Tokyo, is held.
Many believers of this shrine wind through the town carrying the mikoshi (portable shrine) on their shoulders, and the number of mikoshi is over 120.
Kiyosumi Gardens (清澄庭園)
Kiyosumi Gardens ("Kiyosumi Teien" in Japanese) is a Japanese garden located about 0.8 km north of Fukagawa Fudoson temple.
It is near Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station of the subway.
It is said that this garden was built in the early 18th century.
In 1880, Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi financial combine, bought this land and rebuilt the garden.
When Great Kanto Earthquake occured in 1923, this site became an evacuation space and many people's lives were saved.
Next year, Mr.Iwasaki donated the half of this site to Tokyo city, then it was opened to the public as a park.
In 1973, other site was also bought by Tokyo Metropolis, so the current park was completed.
In this garden, there are many beautiful stones which were collected from all over the country.
Additionally many tortoises live in the pond.
Fukagawa Edo Museum (深川江戸資料館)
Fukagawa Edo Museum is a museum reproducing the Fukagawa town in the Edo period.
It is located about 100 meters east of Kiyosumi Gardens.
In the museum, over 10 full-scale houses in the Edo period are built.
And the livingware and tools at that time are put on the house.
We can feel the mood of the life in Edo period.
How to get here
- Ryogoku station (JR Sobu Line)
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Nearest stations of subway.
Monzen-Nakacho (●T12 Tozai Line, ●E15 Ooedo Line)
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa (●Z11 Hanzomon Line, ●E14 Ooedo Line)
