ALONG THE SUMIDA RIVER
The Sumida River, once something of an "urban sewer" running through an endless landscape of rusty factory buildings and waterfront docks, has been rehabilitated to something of its former glory as the traditional city's major thoroughfare. Now overlooked by luxury condominiums, spanned by gracefully arched bridges and lined with parks and walkways, the river draws an increasing number of waterborne visitors as well traveling from the foot of the Rainbow Bridge all the way to Asakasa (where one disembarks to visit Sensoji, another of Tokyo's "must see" attractions).
SENSOJI
From the time of its founding early in the history of Edo (the modern Tokyo), Sensoji has played a major role in the spiritual (and commercial) life of the city. Even today the Buddhist temple complex is visited by thousands of worshippers (and tourists) daily. The walkway between the Entrance Gate and the Main Gate is lined with shops, some dating back centuries, in recognition of this drawing power. The resulting crowded chaos echoes the early history of this great city, allows visitors a glimpse into "everyday life" and provides everyone with a wonderfully lively "public space" in which to congregate, shop and worship.
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