The Sumida River (隅田川; Sumida-gawa) is a river in eastern Tokyo that starts at the Iwabuchi Sluice Gate in Kita and flows into Tokyo Bay. There is a walkway along its bank almost everywhere along the way. Here are photos of the walk starting from Asakusa and going north to Minami-Senju, in Arakawa City.
Above, Sumida River from the Tokyo Skytree observatory.
After completing the Otama Walking Trail, I took the bus to Lake Okutama. My goal was to walk the Ikoi trail to the floating bridge but the path was closed for repair. It had also started to rain very hard on the way there so I cut the visit short.
The Otama Walking Trail is a nice and easy 8km trail in Okutama, in western Tokyo. It follows the valley formed by the Tama River from Kori station to Okutama station. I had already followed the section of the trail in Hatonosu Valley last autumn but I came back for the whole trail in spring. It took me about 3.5 hours to reach Okutama.
The University of Tokyo (東京大学; Tokyo daigaku), often abbreviated as Todai (東大), is the most prestigious university in Japan. Its main campus is in Hongo (Bunkyo). As far as I can tell, although there are guards at the gates, it can be entered pretty much freely.
In May, I went back once more to Nikko. This time, I climbed Mount Nyoho (女峰山), the sister peak to the better-known (and barely higher) Mount Nantai (男体山). At 2483m, it was the highest point during my year in Japan. This is the trail direction I followed (except I started at the Futarasan Shrine).
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮; Meiji Jingu) is a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. It is located near Yoyogi Park. I visited it in January, on the same day as the Coming of Age day (成人の日; Seijin-no-Hi).
Sanja Matsuri is a festival held in Asakusa every year in May. It celebrates the three people involved in the creation of Senso-ji and later enshrined as Shinto kami in Asakusa Shrine, next to the temple. It is one of the biggest festivals in Tokyo, with about 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) paraded around the neighbourhood.
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is a modern building located in front of the Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji, in Asakusa. The top floor has a cafe, as well as a freely accessible observatory with a great view on Senso-ji and Tokyo Skytree.
In May, starting at Kameido station, I walked east towards Edogawa City, until I reached the Arakawa River. I then crossed it in order to visit Funabori Tower Hall and its observatory. I went back to the other side of the Arakawa and walked along the Kyu-Nakagawa River (旧中川) then turned west at the Kitajukken River (北十間川), which goes all the way to the Sumida River, passing in front of the Tokyo Skytree. I ended the day with the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa.
