Edo Resilience: Ryogoku Culture & Disaster Heritage Walking Tour

Duration5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 6 travelers

Overview

Ryogoku beyond sumo.

This isn’t just a walking tour—it’s a journey through Edo’s resilience.
Ryogoku, now known for sumo, was once the beating heart of Edo’s joys and sorrows. Fires, floods, earthquakes, and even war tore through this riverside district time and again—but each time, the people rebuilt with strength, artistry, and compassion.

We begin at a temple that offered rest to the forgotten, then walk along the Sumida River to explore how water shaped both life and tragedy in Edo. We’ll stop for a traditional lunch in a lively food hall, then visit the Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum and Tokyo Memorial Hall to reflect on how Tokyo’s people endured catastrophe and loss.

From there, we continue to a shrine dedicated to the legendary ancestor of sumo, before stepping into the colorful world of Hokusai—whose art captured Edo’s vibrant spirit even in hard times.

This tour is a living story of survival, remembrance, and renewal—a walk through Tokyo’s heart of resilience.

What's included

Sumida Hokusai Museum

Lunch is in a facility with many options. The area's famous food is Chanko Nabe (Sumo wrestler stew), and cost about ¥4,000, per person, with a 2 person minimum . Other restaurants start at ~¥1,100.
There will be vending machines and convenience stores for drinks and snacks, so please purchase them at your own discretion.

What to expect

Ekoin Temple
30m

Learn how this temple offered comfort to the forgotten of Edo—sumo wrestlers, pets, and disaster victims—while exploring its quiet grounds.
Kyu Yasuda Garden
15m

Stroll through a beautifully preserved Japanese garden with ponds and greenery, once part of a wealthy samurai family’s estate.
Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum
45m

Reflect on Tokyo’s resilience while seeing exhibits that honor the victims of the 1923 earthquake and World War II bombings.
Nominosukune Shrine
5m

Visit a small but meaningful shrine dedicated to the legendary ancestor of sumo, connecting past to present.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum
30m · Admission ticket included

Step into the vivid world of ukiyo-e and admire masterpieces by Katsushika Hokusai, including the iconic Great Wave.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please meet outside of the Noren building adjacent JR Ryogoku Station.

If you need help getting there from the Oedo Line Ryogoku Station, please let us know at least a day before the tour, and we will arrange an early pick up from there for you.

End point

Please meet outside of the Noren building adjacent JR Ryogoku Station.

If you need help getting there from the Oedo Line Ryogoku Station, please let us know at least a day before the tour, and we will arrange an early pick up from there for you.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We will be doing a lot of walking at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of places to sit down and take a rest, however if you cannot stand for prolonged periods of time (20 minutes), it may be difficult. At the Yasuda gardens, much of the routes are loose pebbles, so it may be hard to navigate with a wheelchair. In that case, we can take you to the next destination that has a park you can equally enjoy.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.