The Minami-Takahashi Bridge, located near the Reiganjima Water Level Observatory, is a bridge made by recycling the less damaged center section of the Ryogoku Bridge that was damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake. But it was as shiny as a new bridge.
Kiyosumi Shirakawa
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station
This is Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station, the starting point of today’s walk. I’m wondering what the metal plate punched out in a circle and hung up means. Is it a bird repellent? I can’t figure it out, so I decide to start walking.
Onagi River
Since we were planning to walk along the Sumida River from Bannen Bridge, we first crossed the Onagi River at Takahashi Bridge.
Site of Nakamura Shikan II’s residence
After crossing the street, I found the remains of the house of Nakamura Shikan II. I heard he was a Kabuki actor, but I’m sorry, I don’t know him.
Basho Inari Shrine
At a crossroads near the Mannen Bridge, I found a sign saying, “Former Basho hermitage, 20 meters ahead. I followed the directions and found a stone monument standing in the precincts of Basho Inari Shrine.
The Basho hermitage had once disappeared, but after the tsunami of 1917, a stone frog that Basho had loved was found and enshrined here. The fact that the stone frog was not washed away by the tsunami is quite gutsy. Perhaps that is why there were two stone frogs in front of the monument.
Shobunsha Production Headquarters
After paying my respects, I returned to the crossroads and found the Shobunsha building. It says “Production Headquarters”, so Mapple must have been made here.
Kiyosu Bridge
View of Cologne
The reason I came to Mannen Bridge was to take a picture of the Kiyosu Bridge, which is said to be the view of Cologne. I forgot to take it the last time I was here.
Here’s a shot from as close as possible to the most beautiful spot, even if the left edge is hidden by a building.
View from Kiyosu Bridge
Crossing the Kiyosu Bridge.
Downstream is the Metropolitan Expressway Route 9 Fukagawa Line. To the right (west) is the Hakozaki JCT.
IBM Japan Headquarters
A large building appeared after crossing the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway seen from Kiyosubashi Bridge. This is where the headquarters of IBM Japan used to be.
Toyomi Bridge under repair
The Toyomi Bridge, the first bridge in the Nihonbashi River, was under repair and could not be used. The dark blue bridge in the back is a temporary pedestrian bridge. I wanted to take a decent picture of the temporary bridge because it was magnificent. But I didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures while the security guards were trying their best to guide us.
After crossing the Toyomi Bridge, I found some berries!
This is a Yamamomo, right?
The size of the fruit is about 1cm in diameter. I was surprised, because I thought it would bear larger fruits.
Gardenia
The gardenias also had a nice fragrance. However, I felt sorry for the flowers as they were getting tired.
Reigan island
Birthplace of Seafarer Education
A stone monument beside the Eitaibashi Bridge, “The Birthplace of Seamen’s Education,” tells the story of Yataro Iwasaki, who established a merchant marine school here. The Mitsubishi Merchant Marine Academy was followed by the Tokyo High School of Merchant Marine, the Tokyo University of Merchant Marine, and then the Tokyo University of Fisheries, which became the present Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
Remains of the Shinkawa River
Shortly after the Birthplace of Seamen’s Education, there is a monument to the site of the Shinkawa River. The Shinkawa River was opened by Kawamura Zuiken in 1660. It is also the name of the place today. However, it was reclaimed in 1948. It is a busy time for digging and filling.
The current water level observatory and a pole standing at the location of the original water level observatory
We came to the water level observation station on Reigan Island. It was low tide in the middle of the day, so the water level was low.
I regretted not paying attention to the pole on the seawall the last time I was here. This pole shows the location of the original water level observatory, which gave birth to the Japan Standard Origin. This time, I took this photo and also went very close to it, so I was satisfied. The current water level observatory, located 36 meters downstream from the pole, has been in operation since May 1994.
Reigan Island Water Level Observatory and Komugo
I was also able to take a picture of the water level observatory and Komugo.
Komugo is a first-class level point that played an important role in connecting the Water Level Observatory and the Japan Standard. It is located in the flower bed in the right foreground.
Shintomicho
That was it for today’s walk, and I decided to head home. There is no train station inside Reiganjima, so we needed to get off the island.
So I decided to cross the Kamejima River, the closest bridge to the Sumida River.
The Minami-Takahashi Bridge, a recycled Ryogoku Bridge
Then I found the Minami-Takahashi Bridge, a recycled Ryogoku Bridge!
In 1931, after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the city of Tokyo, with no money to spend, turned its attention to the damaged Ryogoku Bridge. The city took out the center of the three truss bridges, which was less damaged, reinforced it, narrowed its width, and built it here. It was a good job. It is well maintained and does not look old.
The remains of the Tsukudajima ferry landing
At the base of the Tsukuda Bridge were the remains of the Tsukudajima ferry landing.
Tsukuda Island is said to be the land of the fishermen of Tsukuda, Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City, who saved Tokugawa Ieyasu’s life when he was having trouble crossing the Kanzaki River, and were invited by Ieyasu to move there. Ieyasu was also saved from his predicament by the villagers of Ikeda, who gave him privileges on the Tenryu River. Ieyasu was a profound strategist, but he must have been indifferent to crossing the river. I’m sure there are still similar stories if you look for them.
The people of Tsukuda Island were fishermen, so perhaps ferrying people across the river was a better way to live than building a bridge.
Shintomicho Station
Today’s goal is Shintomicho Station.
Walking data
Course: Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line Kiyosumi Shirakawa -> Sumida River -> Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Shintomi-cho
Distance: 5.1km
Time: 1h36m
