3 Best Sights in Fukagawa, Tokyo

Defined by its island-accented pond, around which pathways take lead to a succession of carefully landscaped viewpoints with features like manicured trees and ornamental rocks, this traditional garden is one of eastern Tokyo’s underappreciated gems. A highlight is the isowatari, the stepping stones that meander through the pond, allowing you to appreciate the park's reflections in the lake, as well as the carp and turtles. Part of a feudal lord’s residence in the early 1700s, the garden was later owned by the founder of Mitsubishi, who used it to entertain important guests and give staff a place to unwind. Thereafter, it was donated to the city of Tokyo, and opened its doors to everyone in 1932.

On the far-eastern end of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, occupying the northernmost part of the sprawling Kiba Park, this modern museum has spaces for contemporary art from its own collection and special exhibitions. In recent years, the latter have have included shows devoted to artist David Hockney, architect Jean Prouve, composer Sakamoto Ryuichi, and even one focused on the art of language. If you need a break while here, is a café as well as a restaurant on-site. Note that the museum sometimes closes during installations of new exhibitions.

This shrine in the heart of Monzen-Nakacho has been a core part of Fukagawa since the 1600s. It’s said that some of the earliest sumo tournaments were held here in the 1700s, which explains the sumo-related monuments you'll see. Today, the grounds hold small dawn-to-dusk antiques markets on the first, second, third, and fifth Sundays of each month, while lively flea markets take place on the 15th and 28th of each month. In odd-numbered years, during the month of August, the shrine is also the starting point of Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, a festival that sees more than 50 portable shrines paraded energetically through the streets while onlookers pour buckets of water over the carriers (and each other). One more quirk here is that you can bring your car to be blessed.