Ryogoku: From Eko-in Temple to Kyu-Yasuda Garden, Edo-Tokyo Museum, and The Sumida Hokusai Museum

History and Local Charm

Eko-in Temple was founded to bury and memorialize the people who lost their lives in the Great Fire of Meireki in the 3rd year of Meireki (1657).

Eko-in Temple is also linked to the history of sumo. Beginning in the 4th year of Tempo (1833), it became the regular venue for spring and autumn tournaments, and the era of "Eko-in Sumo" lasted for 76 years until the completion of the original Kokugikan in the 42nd year of Meiji (1909). The Kokugikan later moved to Kuramae, before returning to the present Ryogoku Kokugikan in the 60th year of Showa (1985).

Kyu-Yasuda Garden stands on land granted to Honjo Inaba-no-kami Munesuke during the Genroku era as a shimoyashiki (suburban residence). The Edo-Tokyo Museum introduces the history and culture of Edo and Tokyo, focusing mainly on the roughly 400 years from Tokugawa Ieyasu's entry into Edo to the present day. In addition, the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai was born near Honjo Warigesui in the 10th year of Horeki (1760) and spent most of his 90-year life within what is now Sumida City.

Memorials for a great fire, a daimyo residence garden, sumo, and Hokusai: this walking course allows you to experience the layered everyday life and culture of Edo in Ryogoku.

Main Highlights

• ​Eko-in Temple​​: A temple that has offered memorial services without distinction for people whether they have surviving kin or not, and for both humans and animals alike. Within the grounds are the Chikara-zuka (Strength Mound) erected by the Sumo Association and the tomb of Nezumi Kozo, which is still visited today by students praying to pass exams.
• ​Kyu-Yasuda Garden​​: In the center of the garden is a shinji-ike (pond shaped like the kanji character for "heart"). It was formerly a tide-inflow garden that drew water from the Sumida River, and today a pump regulates the water level to recreate that historic atmosphere. You can also see the Komadome-ishi Stone, which was depicted in an ukiyo-e print by Katsushika Hokusai.
• ​Ryogoku Kokugikan​​: The venue where Tokyo's official tournaments (honbasho) are held three times a year, in January, May, and September. Its large green copper-sheet roof serves as a landmark. During official tournament periods, colorful banners bearing the names of sumo wrestlers line the perimeter.
• ​Edo-Tokyo Museum​​: Reopened on March 31 of the 8th year of Reiwa (2026) following roughly four years of large-scale renovation work. The permanent exhibition room begins with a full-scale reconstruction of Nihonbashi. A full-scale recreation of the facade of the Nakamura-za theater and the Hattori Clock Store, recreated during the renovation, can also be seen.
• ​The Sumida Hokusai Museum​​: Opened by Sumida City in the 28th year of Heisei (2016) to honor Hokusai for generations as a source of pride for local residents. The building was designed by architect Sejima Kazuyo, and the aluminum panels of its exterior wall softly reflect the surrounding downtown scenery. In the permanent exhibition "AURORA (Hokusai Learning Zone)," you can trace Hokusai's life through full-scale, high-definition replicas of his masterworks.

Recommended Route and Estimated Time

The estimated time required is about 5 hours. Eko-in Temple is about a 3-minute walk from the West Exit of Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line.

From Eko-in Temple, Kyu-Yasuda Garden is about 570 meters to the north-northeast. After strolling through the garden, Ryogoku Kokugikan is about 150 meters to the south. The Kokugikan is a great place to stop during official tournament periods. Even without watching the bouts, you can soak in the atmosphere of grand sumo with the lined-up banners. Outside of tournament periods, you might view the large green roof and proceed onward. The Sumo Museum on the first floor of the building can be visited even outside of tournament periods.

From the Kokugikan, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is about 240 meters to the east. This is the spot where you will want to spend the most time on this route. Crossing the Nihonbashi bridge inside the permanent exhibition gallery, you will find models of the town of Edo. There are also models of the Nakamura-za theater and munewari-nagaya (partitioned tenement houses).

From the Edo-Tokyo Museum, The Sumida Hokusai Museum is about 400 meters to the east. Honjo Warigesui, where Hokusai was born, corresponds to the vicinity of present-day Hokusai-dori Street. From the top floor of the museum, you can view Tokyo Skytree. For the return journey, it is about a 7-minute walk to Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line, and about a 12-minute walk to Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Summary of the Experience

A temple rooted in memorial services for a great fire, a garden with a stone depicted in Hokusai's art, a sumo arena, a museum beginning with a full-scale Nihonbashi, and a museum dedicated to Hokusai. The many facets of Ryogoku handed down from the Edo period are gathered within walking distance. Enjoy a day where each step moves back and forth across the eras.