Arakawa-ku, Special ward in northeast Tokyo, Japan
Arakawa-ku is a special ward in northeast Tokyo that stretches along the Sumida River and connects residential areas with smaller parks and scattered industrial sites. Streets alternate between dense rows of houses and more open sections with low buildings and green spaces near the waterways.
The area shifted from agricultural fields to an industrial site during the Meiji period when factories appeared along the water. Postwar rebuilding changed the layout further and shaped today's mix of housing and commerce.
The name comes from the nearby river that once marked the old city boundary and remains visible through waterfront parks and walkways. Visitors find traditional shops alongside residential streets where older architecture stands next to modern buildings.
Several train lines connect the ward to central Tokyo and allow easy access from different parts of the city. Local streets are walkable or good for cycling, especially along the riverbanks and through the residential neighborhoods.
A historic tram network has crossed the ward for over a hundred years and ranks among the last two in the city. Some stations keep older design features and show details from the early days of the line.
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