Traditional Discoveries in Fukagawa and Monzen-nakacho

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Updated: September 14, 2023

Discover Tradition: Downtown Fukagawa and Monzen-nakacho

Monzen-nakacho and Fukagawa are well known to Tokyo residents—and for good reason. With their beautiful cherry blossoms and waterfront vistas, these are both wonderful areas to walk through. There are lots of alleyways and side streets that are definitely worth a visit. It's an area where you can get lost and find new experiences, spots, and people that will stay with you forever.

General Tips

The area has lots of alleyways and side streets where you can get lost and find new experiences, spots, and people
The area used to be known for monozukuri (artisanship), and this sense of creativity can still be felt today in local shops

Map Legend

Walking
Taxi
Bus
Train
Water Bus

Downtown Tokyo in its historical and cultural prime

Monzen-nakacho Station

Come out of Exit 5 of Monzen-nakacho Station on the Oedo and Tozai Lines to discover Monzen-nakacho. Nakacho, as it is known to locals, is considered a shitamachi (downtown) area, with lots of history and quirks not found in other parts of the city. It's a district renowned for temples and shrines, as well as old-school bars and izakaya (Japanese-style pubs). This is a location that wears its Edo-period (1603–1868) history on its sleeve, and is a beautiful gateway between historical and contemporary Tokyo.

2 mins

A scenic spot to begin your journey in downtown Tokyo

Kurofune-bashi Bridge

A few steps from Exit 4 you will find Kurofune-bashi Bridge, which is the perfect spot for photos of the historic canal that runs through this part of the capital. Standing on the bridge, you can feel the flow of the history of the area. Take some time to appreciate the waterfront scenery and serene vistas.

7 mins

History and beauty come together in a photogenic local landmark

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine

This glorious Shinto shrine was founded in 1627 and pays homage to the god Hachiman, who is the deity of valor. The charming shrine also has a long-established connection to sumo, and was one of the locations for the nation's first sumo events. Steeped in history and located near the renowned Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple, it plays a central role in the area's love affair with its historic past.

1 min

A legendary local eatery that serves up top-notch seafood dishes

Fukagawajuku

This restaurant is famous for its take on the local dish of Fukagawa-meshi, steamed rice with clams. A favorite of local fishermen in the Edo period, the dish has become a culinary representative of the district. On weekends, diners can also buy rice-and-clam bento boxes that can be eaten at the nearby Fukagawa Park. Fukagawajuku is a welcoming, old-style eatery with a wooden interior and lively atmosphere. It's also the perfect spot to soak up the area's rich culinary history and take a relaxing break from the bustling streets of Fukagawa and Monzen-nakacho.

15 mins

An acclaimed museum that recreates the feeling of an Edo-period town

Fukagawa Edo Museum

A short walk from Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, you'll come across the wonderful Fukagawa Edo Museum. It's compact but full of vitality, with an amazing recreation of an Edo-period village, complete with a canal and boats. This under-the-radar museum definitely deserves more attention. You can pick up guides in multiple languages. Available in English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Korean, these handy pamphlets act as a neat introduction to the exhibits and the area's rich cultural past. It's definitely worth spending some time here to appreciate the history of the area.