Minowabashi Stop

In short

Minowabashi Stop is the starting and ending stop of the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram), located in Minami-Senju 1-chome, Arakawa Ward. It is the only Toden stop selected as one of the "100 Selected Stations of the Kanto Region," and it is known for its retro design and the roses planted along the tracks.

• ​100 Selected Stations of the Kanto Region​​: It was selected as "a stop served by the only Toden streetcar in Tokyo where spectacular roses bloom together in spring."
• ​Retro Stop​​: Old signposts once used at former Toden stops, advertising signs reminiscent of the Showa era, and wooden fences line the platforms.
• ​Minowabashi Omoidekan​​: An information center for Toei Transportation located near the stop, displaying historical materials related to Toden streetcars and diorama exhibits.

History and Highlights

Minowabashi Stop is the starting point of the Toden Arakawa Line, which connects 12.2 kilometers to Waseda. It opened in 1913 (Taisho 2) as a stop of the Oji Electric Railway. The Toden Arakawa Line is based on this Oji Electric Railway. In 1972 (Showa 47), amid the abolition of many Toden lines, the section from Minowabashi to Waseda survived as a Toden tramline. Today, it remains the only Toden tramline in Tokyo. In 2017, the nickname "Tokyo Sakura Tram" was assigned to it.

The name "Minowabashi" originates from a bridge where the Nikko Kaido crossed a river called the Otonashi River. It is said that in the Edo period, it served as a boundary between inside and outside Edo.

In 1997 (Heisei 9), it was selected as one of the 100 Selected Stations of the Kanto Region as "a stop served by the only Toden streetcar in Tokyo where spectacular roses bloom together in spring." On May 26, 2007 (Heisei 19), it underwent a full renovation to coincide with the debut of the retro Type 9000 tram, giving it a retro-style appearance.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Dead-end Platforms​​: Befitting a terminal station, the tracks are laid out in a dead-end configuration. There are two platforms, staggered separately for boarding and alighting passengers. Retro signposts once used at former Toden stops, advertising signs that feel like stepping back into the Showa era, and wooden fences evoke the heyday of the Toden tramways.
• ​Roses Along the Tracks​​: Since 1985, Arakawa Ward has been planting roses along the tracks together with volunteers. Along the tracks within the ward, there are approximately 140 varieties and over 13,000 rose bushes. The best time to view the roses along the line is usually from early May to early June, and from mid-October to November. During these seasons, the roses along the tracks at the stop also delight the eyes of visitors.
• ​Minowabashi Omoidekan​​: A Toei Transportation information center opened on October 21, 2018 (Heisei 30). It displays historical materials on the Toden and features a diorama centered around the tramline. It also sells tickets such as the Toden One-Day Pass, as well as Toden merchandise.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 5-minute walk from Minowa Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. From the Nikko Kaido, you enter the stop by passing through an old building. An arched gate is set up at the entrance, with the Minowabashi Omoidekan right beside it. Just beside the stop, the covered shopping arcade Joyful Minowa extends parallel to the Toden tracks. On the wall beneath the railway overpass of the nearby JR Joban Line, colorful illustrations of Toden trams are painted. Approximately 700 meters northeast of the stop is Susanoo-jinja Shrine.