Arakawa

Getting around

Getting around Arakawa means relying on public transport, much as locals do. The ward is served by rail, metro and tram lines, with buses filling in the gaps and taxis available for direct trips. The tram is the signature mode here, but it is one piece of a larger network rather than a standalone sightseeing service. The Toden Arakawa Line — also marketed as the Tokyo Sakura Tram — connects Minowabashi and Waseda and is the last publicly owned tram line in Tokyo, though the privately owned Tokyu Setagaya Line also still operates. Expect single-car trams running largely along back alleys of north-east and north-central Tokyo, through areas little changed since the immediate post-WWII era. Locals call it "chin-chin densha," after the double bell peal sounded as trams depart each stop; the passengers are mainly locals, and drivers are known by name to regular riders. The fare is flat regardless of distance, so you do not need to calculate zones or stages — sources quote it inconsistently, so check the current price on arrival. The tram interchanges with other lines along its route, so you can combine it with conventional trains and subways to reach the rest of the city.

Use the tram to link sightseeing stops rather than as a single end-to-end journey: Arakawa Yuenchi-mae serves an old-fashioned children's amusement park, Asukayama is a park known for cherry blossoms, Zoshigaya sits adjacent to Zoshigaya Cemetery, Sugamo is known as "Grandma's Harajuku" with a shopping street popular among elderly shoppers, and Oji Station is near Oji Inari Shrine and Otonashi Water Park. Buses complement the fixed lines, covering streets they do not; treat them as a fallback for short hops or for reaching a specific stop no train or tram serves directly. Because the tram runs on a flat fare, it is often the easier option when deciding between the two. Taxis are available for direct, door-to-door trips, useful when you are carrying luggage or travelling late, and ride-hailing apps operate in Tokyo as well — neither is necessary for most sightseeing within Arakawa, but they are reasonable when public transport has stopped for the night. Arakawa rewards walking, particularly along the tram route: the stops are close enough together that hopping off and strolling between them is practical, letting you take in the post-war streetscape and local shopping streets at your own pace. Buy a rechargeable IC card for trains, metros and buses; it also covers the tram in most cases, but confirm on board if you are unsure. If you plan to ride the tram several times in a day, check whether a day pass is available — the flat fare makes the maths simple.

Three days in Arakawa

Day one: Start by getting your bearings on the Toden Arakawa Line, also known as the Tokyo Sakura Tram, which runs between Minowabashi and Waseda and is one of the few surviving tram lines in Tokyo. Ride it end to end to see how Arakawa shifts from busy shopping streets to quieter residential blocks, then step off at Minowabashi to explore the surrounding arcade. In the afternoon, head to Arakawa Yuenchi, a small park beside the tram line, and take your time wandering the neighbourhood streets nearby.

Day two: Use the tram again to reach Asukayama, known for its cherry trees, then continue to Oji Station. From there, visit Oji Inari Shrine and walk to Otonashi Water Park, a green space along a former waterway. Later, ride toward Zoshigaya and Zoshigaya Cemetery, a large, wooded burial ground that is peaceful to walk through. If you have energy left, stop at Sugamo, a district sometimes called "Grandma's Harajuku" for its older shoppers and traditional shops.

Day three: Expect the tram to be slower than the subway, so plan for a relaxed pace. Buy an IC card to make transfers onto buses and the Tokyu Setagaya Line easier, since taxis can be expensive. Because the Toden Arakawa Line survived WWII and later closure threats, locals value it as a living piece of Tokyo's past; ride it once more at dusk, when the small stations and level crossings feel especially calm.