Fukagawa, Historical district in Koto, Japan.
Fukagawa is a neighborhood on Tokyo's east side where traditional wooden buildings line waterways that form a network of canals. The street layout and building styles reflect patterns that developed over centuries.
After the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, Buddhist temples relocated to Fukagawa and transformed it from a small fishing village into a temple district. This shift became the foundation for the neighborhood's identity.
The neighborhood maintains its role as a center for traditional performing arts, where geisha continue cultural practices that have roots going back centuries. Walking through the streets, you can still sense the presence of these traditions in how spaces are used and maintained.
The neighborhood connects to central Tokyo through Monzen-nakacho Station, served by two subway lines for convenient access. Walking through the area lets you explore the canals and smaller streets at your own pace.
The area earned its reputation as the first place in Edo where female geisha performed, marking a turning point when female entertainers became the norm. This shift reshaped entertainment culture across the wider region.
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