Taitō-ku

Taitō is a special ward in northeastern Tokyo, Japan, stretching south from the Sumida River and covering both densely built residential areas and large park grounds. The ward consists of several neighborhoods linked by a network of rail lines, subway routes, and wide thoroughfares.

The administrative unit formed in 1947 through the joining of two older wards when the Tokyo city government reorganized after the war. In earlier centuries, the area was known for markets, shrines, and as an entry point for travelers from northern provinces.

The ward takes its name from a large drum tower that once stood nearby and echoed across the flat eastern districts. Visitors today find many traditional shops, especially along old streets, where craftspeople still produce paper goods, dolls, and other items in family businesses.

The ward is easily explored using the several rail and subway stations that connect all major neighborhoods and larger transport hubs. Most areas offer flat footpaths and many shops along station exits, making orientation straightforward for visitors.

A small, quiet section near the main streets preserves the layout of old working neighborhoods, where narrow lanes run between low wooden houses and few visitors wander. Some structures from the early Meiji period still stand along these paths and show old building methods.

Location: Tokyo

Inception: March 15, 1947

Part of: ward area of Tokyo

Shares border with: Chiyoda-ku, Chūō-ku, Bunkyo, Sumida-ku, Arakawa-ku

Website: https://city.taito.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.71261,139.77997

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03