Kyunakagawa is a cherry blossom viewing spot along the riverbed in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo.

Starting with the Kawazu cherry blossoms that bloom in late January, various types of cherry blossoms reach their peak one after another, so the area is bustling with people enjoying cherry blossom viewing almost every week.

This time, we will introduce the charms of Kyunakagawa, which is easily accessible from the city center and where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms.

What is "Old Nakagawa"?

The Old Nakagawa River is a 6.68 km long, first-class river that flows along the border between Edogawa, Sumida, and Koto wards in Tokyo.

It is located in Edogawa Ward to the east of the river and Sumida Ward and Koto Ward to the west. It is also about a 15-minute drive from the popular tourist spot, Tokyo Skytree, making it one of the most convenient cherry blossom viewing spots for tourists in Tokyo.

Each ward has developed the riverbeds into parks, and in spring people come to enjoy cherry blossom viewing and take photographs, strolling around as they please.

Although there are no food stalls or outdoor vendors, or flashy displays like illuminated cherry blossoms at night, it is a popular spot where you can calmly view the cherry blossoms that gently accompany you in your daily life.

Characteristics of the Cherry Blossoms along the Old Nakagawa River

At Kyunakagawa River, various kinds of cherry blossoms bloom one after another from late January to early April, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a long period of about two months.

You can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a tranquil setting that makes it hard to believe you're in Tokyo, so this is a recommended cherry blossom viewing spot for those who want to enjoy the cherry blossoms at a relatively leisurely pace.

Highlight 1: Fureai Bridge & Tokyo Skytree with Cherry Blossoms

There is a 56m long bridge called Fureai Bridge over the Old Nakagawa River, connecting Hirai in Edogawa Ward and Kameido in Koto Ward.

It features a simple yet beautifully symmetrical arch, and when lit up in blue at night, the color balances well with that of the Skytree, making it a great spot for taking photos.

Many Kawazu cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted near Fureai Bridge.

In early February, when the Kawazu cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and in early April, when the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you can see photography enthusiasts gathering here hoping to capture Fureai Bridge, Tokyo Skytree, and the cherry blossoms in the same frame.

Highlight 2: A relaxing cherry blossom viewing spot

In recent years, the popularity of cherry blossoms in Japan has been particularly tremendous, and tourist destinations with large cherry trees and cherry blossom viewing spots such as rows of cherry trees are bustling with activity.

However, Kyunakagawa is easily accessible from the city center, and although it is a place where many types of cherry blossoms can be seen, it is a hidden gem with few tourists, where time passes slowly.

The flow of the Kyu-Nakagawa River is gentle and calm, so you can take your time to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom in full glory against the mirror surface of the river, and the way cherry blossoms are an integral part of everyday life in Japan.

Highlight 3: Experience spring in Japan

The riverbed of the Kyu-Nakagawa River has been beautifully maintained while preserving its natural surroundings.

Therefore, when the cherry blossoms bloom, other plants that evoke the feeling of spring in Japan, such as horsetails and rape blossoms, begin to sprout one after another, adding color to the old Nakagawa River along with the cherry blossoms.

This is an area where you can enjoy the spring scenery that appears in Japanese picture books and animations, making it the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing trip to Japan.

Cherry blossom season along the Kyu-Nakagawa River

Along the Kyunakagawa River, Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to bloom around the end of January and reach full bloom in early February.

In addition to the Kawazu cherry trees, various other cherry trees have been planted, so the blossoms bloom one after the other: Oyama cherry trees in early March, Somei Yoshino cherry trees in late March, and Somei Yoshino cherry trees in mid-April. This means you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing all throughout the spring.

The area of the old Nakagawa River managed by Sumida Ward has a particularly wide variety of flowers.

Location of the old Nakagawa

Hirai and Komatsugawa in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo

Access to the Old Nakagawa River

The nearest station to Kyū-Nakagawa is Hirai Station.

From Haneda Airport, take the Airport Express train for about 10 minutes to Shinagawa Station, then take a 17-minute ride on the JR Yamanote Line to Akihabara Station.

It takes about 10 minutes on the JR Sobu Line from Akihabara Station to Hirai Station.

It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Hirai Station to the old Nakagawa River.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist Spot 1: Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall

Ryogoku Station is three stations away from Hirai Station, the nearest station to Kyu-Nakagawa.

Ryogoku Station is a place closely associated with sumo wrestling, with tournaments being held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in January, May and September.

Unfortunately, the Grand Sumo Tournament takes place in Osaka in March when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, but you can still visit the Sumo Museum inside the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall, which introduces the history and culture of sumo.

Additionally, the area around Ryogoku Kokugikan is a highly recommended spot with a number of restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, including a chanko nabe restaurant run by a former sumo wrestler.

Location of Ryogoku Kokugikan

1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Tourist spot 2: Sumida Hokusai Museum

The Sumida Hokusai Museum is an art museum that exhibits the works of Katsushika Hokusai, who is known as a particularly great master of ukiyo-e, a traditional painting technique that represents Japan.

Hokusai Katsushika, a world-famous painter, spent most of his life in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, and is also famous for his work "Under Mannenbashi Bridge at Fukagawa (Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji)," which depicts Mount Fuji and the Onagi River, a canal dug in a straight line connecting the old Nakagawa and Sumida rivers from east to west.

To get to the Sumida Hokusai Museum from Kyunakagawa, take a 15-minute bus ride from the bus stop, which is about a 10-minute walk from Kyunakagawa, so we recommend taking a stroll along Kyunakagawa and then taking a break on the bus before heading there.

Location of the Sumida Hokusai Museum

2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Tourist spot 3: Kinshi Park

Kinshicho Station, two stations away from Hirai Station, the nearest station to the old Nakagawa River, is home to a large park called Kinshi Park.

Kinshi Park is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 160 Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees blooming simultaneously from late March to early April.

There are many shopping malls surrounding Kinshi Park, so we recommend getting some takeaway takoyaki, yakitori, and other foods and enjoying cherry blossom viewing underneath the trees.

Location of Kinshi Park

4-15-1 Kinshicho, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

summary

The Kyu-Nakagawa River is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot where you can enjoy the various types of cherry blossoms blooming along the river.

Various cherry blossoms bloom in succession from late January to early April, so the secret to its popularity is that you can enjoy the cherry blossoms no matter when you visit, and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms as part of your daily life.