What to do and see in Sumida, Japan: The Best Places and Tips

February 9, 2018 Jasper Kershner

Discover the best top things to do in Sumida, Japan including Ryogoku Kokugikan, Asakusa, Edo-Tokyo Museum, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo National Museum, Fukagawa Edo Museum, Ueno Park, Kiyosumi Teien, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center.
Restaurants in Sumida

1. Ryogoku Kokugikan

1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida 130-0015, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3623-5111
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 719 reviews

Ryogoku Kokugikan

Reviewed By SmilesUK - London

This was the highlight of my trip to Tokyo. I would highly recommend anyone going to Japan to see a sumo match as it’s a total authentic Japanese experience and super to watch. Read up on the rules beforehand so you know a bit more about what’s going on but really super. You can book tickets online before your trip.

2. Asakusa

Taito, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3872-4886
Excellent
53%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Asakusa

This popular Tokyo neighborhood is home to many shops and restaurants as well as the famed Senso-ji Temple.

Reviewed By shopping74 - Tokyo

Asakusa area is famous and popular 1district in Tokyo, forming one of the largest amusement centers in the city. There are many restaurants, Theaters, and souvenir shops in the district attracting millions of visitors to pray for Kannon's blessing toward yourself and family.

3. Edo-Tokyo Museum

1-4-1, Yokoami, Sumida 130-0015, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3626-9974
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Edo-Tokyo Museum

This fascinating museum displays artifacts and architecture that tell a tale of Tokyo's history. Exhibits include replicas of historical Kabuki theatre and the original Edo Castle.

Reviewed By GolfFoxtrot - Tyneside

We tried to visit the museum earlier in the week only to find the museum is currently closed until end of March 2018. There were many other tourists also discovering this and being disappointed.

4. Senso-ji Temple

2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3842-0181
Excellent
48%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Senso-ji Temple

According to legend, two brothers kept trying to return a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, to the Sumida River only to have it returned to them the next day. This temple located in Tokyo's Asakusa district was built to honor her.

Reviewed By rama1

Temple itself is grand.
The rest of the surrounds seem a bit commercial and tacky.
A million places to get your fortune slip - for a price!
Lots of shops selling the same stuff, although the food places were good.
We were there at cherry blossom time so it was very busy.

5. Tokyo Skytree

1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida 131-0045, Tokyo Prefecture +81 570-550-634
Excellent
41%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 6 reviews

Tokyo Skytree

Reviewed By bala793 - Windsor, Canada

The skytree is one of the highest radio towers in the world. You can purchase tickets to go the mid level or top observation area. There is an option to purchase international tickets at a modest premium. This is available to international travelers with a passport and allows you to go to the front of the line. This allowed us to bypass about an hours wait to get to the top. We purchased tickets to the mid observation area. It was quite crowded but offered spectacular views of Tokyo in all directions. It was easy to see out the windows and get photographs. There is a small amount of information available with English translations. There is a small restaurant and coffee shop and gift shop in the upper level. I didn't use these so can't comment on the prices. You start on the upper level and go down two escalators to get to the exit level. The elevators are closed so no views from the elevators, however, they are quiet, fast and comfortable. This is well worth it and I would recommend the International tickets if you can afford the premium.

6. Tokyo National Museum

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito 110-8712, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3822-1111
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Tokyo National Museum

This famous museum houses the largest collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks in the world. With over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000, exhibits are rotated constantly.

Reviewed By Peeter P - Toronto, Canada

On a cold and rainy March day, we committed some time to the Museum. Fascinating to see special locked places for wet umbrellas, at no cost. Ingenious. As we did not have any special expertise in Japanese art, we enjoyed the "Highlights" display, were a splendid variety of artefacts was on display. The Museum also has a special gallery for designated National Treasures. During our visit, this was calligraphy. The Highlights section was easy to navigate. Plenty of chairs to rest one's weary feet. Photography is allowed except for certain forbidden items that are so indicated. Photography light was good, but be careful to avoid glare from the glass. Well worth the admission, 620 yen per adult.

7. Fukagawa Edo Museum

1-3-28 Shirakawa, Koto 135-0021, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3630-8625
Excellent
49%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 220 reviews

Fukagawa Edo Museum

See village life in 19th-century Fukagawa in this reproduction village of traditional homes, inns, fish and produce stores, complete with an ambient sound track and seasonal plants and weather.

Reviewed By Santorex - Singapore, Singapore

Nearest Train station is Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station (清澄白河駅) . Please exit from A3 and got elevator reach the street level . Inside train station got some displays / information on Fukagawa Edo Museum .
I never know what is that cat name ( Mamesuke , cat of roll house ) on that display until i purchased a guide book from that museum.
Museum distance about 10mins and it located inside a neighborhood area.
This building seems share with community neighbourhood office . Please do not walk into wrong entrance.
My Itinerary plan and both museum are near :
Morning visit Fukagawa Edo Museum 深川江戸資料館
Afternoon visit : Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum 江戸東京博物館

Entrance fee:
- Reasonable
Souvenir:
- Very limited
- I purchase a guide book ( The guide for Fukagawa edo museum) . This guide book compress of picture and illustration. Description is very detail including explanation what is the building function / purpose. 41 pages
There is a browse copy ( in blue colour ) inside the museum

Locker:
- There are lockers for rent .
Display explanation:
- Very limited plus there are not much explanation.
- You may need refer to browse guide book ( in blue colour ) which is available inside the building.
- Otherwise check with the volunteer guide
Volunteer Guide:
- English guide is available and they are around you.
- No fee is required
- No reservation is needed
- They are wearing lanyard
Photograph:
- Is allow to take
Can enter those edo building (reproduction)
- You are allow to enter but some buildings need to take off your shoes.
- There are some out of bounds from entering . Check with the volunteer guide.
Type of visitor:
- Mainly primary students for excursion study
My experience :
- I have a pleasant experience especially a volunteer lady guide offer explanation to us . I forget ask for her name but her knowledge is very excellent .
- It is very surprise that air ventilation system created by edo people. I asked what is the function and how to operate it . That volunteer lady guide demonstrate and further explanation .
- There are some symbol on those door. actually similar like modern signboard. Telling us what is service that building provided.
- Want to know how many people stay inside the building. Approach a volunteer guide and they are happy share the knowledge with u
- At least two type of raincoated (reproduction) used by edo people . You can touched it and you will notice material is different .

Suggestion to museum:
- Display more explanation so that people had better understanding.
- Display some character sign board so that people take picture with it.
- Hope can increase the varieties of souvenirs .
- Possible get some vest behind printed " volunteer guide" on it . so that visitors able to identify them and seek assist .

8. Ueno Park

Uenokoen, Taito 110-0007, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3828-5644
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Ueno Park

This large park is a favorite destination of Tokyo residents, and within can be found many of the city's main attractions including the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno zoo and the National Museum of Western Art.

Reviewed By Carmen S - Bucharest, Romania

Beautiful park spotting the cherry blossoms, clean and well organised despite the crowds, close to the main museums of the city and to the Concerts hall, having a zoo. I noticed a Starbucks cafe and a restaurant, perhaps there are others as well.

9. Kiyosumi Teien

3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto 135-0024, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3641-5892
Excellent
38%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 302 reviews

Kiyosumi Teien

Reviewed By TalesofaPoachedEgg

Need a time out. Come here, walk around, relax, admire, destress. It's a stunning and immaculate garden precinct that is a must for any true traveler wanting to experience the place they are visiting.

10. Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito 111-0034, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3842-5566
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 730 reviews

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, Arizona

As an architecture buff, I was amazed by the 8-story building that holds this information center. It captured my attention immediately in its prime corner location across from the Kaminarimon Gate, which leads to the Buddhist temple Senso-ji. The structure looks like a stack of traditional Japanese wooden houses on top of each other. Each roof protects a different activity in the space beneath.
The ground floor has a tourist information desk with staff ready to answer questions in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. The friendly man I talked with was not only helpful about the Asakusa area but gave me good information about other parts of the city along with maps and brochures. This is a good place to ask about the cultural film schedule in the building's theatre and current Exhibitions. Sightseeing tours, free WiFi and a currency exchange are also available. I especially liked the miniature model of Asakusa with the tourist spots labeled to help in planning a self-guided tour.
We took the elevator to the eighth floor, where a free observation deck offers stunning views of the Tokyo Sky Tree; Nakamise, the narrow shopping street between the gate and temple; and the five-story pagoda. A small cafe is adjacent to the deck.
No parking is available at the center. But it stands just a one-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Asakusa Station, Exit 2.

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