This is an area where old and new collide, a very special place where you can find “the true Tokyo”. If you are fed up with the typical tourist destinations and want a one-of-a-kind experience, Koto city is the place to go! Let’s take a ‘sneak peek’ at the local life…
1 – Fukagawa – historical area 2 – Odaiba – trendy bay area
1- Fukagawa
In the Fukagawa area, take a leisurely stroll through the historic architecture and traditional Japanese gardens and contemplate the waterside scenery of the canals and rivers that crisscross the city. The whole cityscape of this downtown area is an eye-opener!
Whilst we’re in Fukagawa, we have got to mention the one of a kind “water-splashing festival.” This festival is held every year in August, but once every three years we have the BIG one – “Hon-Matsuri (the main festival)”!
As many as 30,000 people wear traditional costumes called Happi and parade through the town carrying more than 50 “Micoshi (portable shrines)”. More than 300,000 spectators gather to see this festival, which has a very special atmosphere [see the illustrations on this website]
If you don’t happen to be there on festival day itself, you can still see one of the largest and most gorgeous of the ‘Micoshi’ at Tomioka Hachimangu, a major shrine in Hukagawa area.
The local people are renowned for being friendly and outgoing; I hope you have the opportunity to interact with them and experience their warmth and kindness.
2 – Odaiba
As you move from the historical and traditional Fukagawa area towards Tokyo Bay, the landscape becomes more and more modern and sophisticated. The Gulf area, with its skyscrapers and trendy retail establishments, is just a short ride away from Fukagawa by bus or train.
A must-visit is the enormous Tokyo Big Sight facility with its world famous Tokyo Comic Market, the ‘Holy Grail’ for anime lovers everywhere! And don’t miss Toyosu Market, the ‘kitchen of Tokyo’, and the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation where you can learn everything you need to know about cutting-edge Japanese technological know-how! Not forgetting the huge amusement area where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and even hot springs. You could quite easily spend an entire day here and still have more to see and enjoy!
3 – Kameido
At first glance this place might give the impression of being chaotic – but herein lies its appeal! Kameido is the quintessential bustling Asian townscape; it’s THE place to go to to experience authentic local life.
This part of town grew prosperous as an industrial area during the high-growth period after World War II, and was home to the factories of large companies such as Hitachi and Seiko. Today, these factories have long since moved out to the suburbs, to be replaced by a vibrant residential community of traditional establishments, entertainment districts and many other ‘hidden secrets’ – all tucked away in the side streets, if you know where to find them!
One of the main attractions is the ancient shrine of Kameido Tenjin, devoted to the god of learning. Whether you are ‘swotting’ for an important exam or just keen on improving your mind, you might well want to buy a lucky charm here!
There’s also a wide assortment of restaurants – some dating right back to the Edo period! – that offer traditional food; a perfect way to enjoy this classic urban locale is to sample the authentic cuisine while wandering through the busy streets and drinking in the neighbourhood atmosphere.
