The History of the Sumida River [Sumida River

The Sumida River is a first-class river, 23.5 km long. Managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the river branches off from the Arakawa River at the Iwafuchi Water Gate in Kita-ku, Tokyo, and flows into Tokyo Bay.
During the Edo period, the Sumida River was used to transport lumber from Chichibu and played an important role in supporting the construction of Edo Castle. The river was lined on both banks with "warehouses" for storing and supplementing transported goods, and played a major role in supporting the economy and daily lives of Edo citizens.
It was also a popular place for recreational activities such as boating and fireworks, and the Ryogoku Bridge area and Asakusa were very lively places of interest for the people of Edo. In this way, the Sumida River was once an important part of the city's cultural development and liveliness.
The Sumida River continued to be busy until the early 1950s, but during the period of rapid economic growth, the road network in the Tokyo metropolitan area was developed and the logistics function of the Sumida River was shifted to land transportation.
In addition, factories and domestic wastewater flowed into the Sumida River, resulting in a rapid deterioration of the river's water quality. As a result, the Sumida River emitted a foul odor that even wafted into the trains passing over the river, and people gradually lost interest in the river.

Later, the water quality of the Sumida River was gradually improved through the construction of sewage systems and river improvements, and the construction of super embankments and terraces created an environment where people could become familiar with the river. The Sumida River is now known as a place for recreation, with water buses operating and events being held along the river.
It is also famous for its cherry blossoms, and the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a must-see!