Tokyo's Arakawa Line: A Day of Exploring the Community

In-flight traveler

When tourists stay in a place for an extended period, whether in Tokyo or Osaka, they may feel like doing less shopping and want to immerse themselves more in the local community to understand daily life better. Tokyo, a city beloved by tourists worldwide, not only embodies trends in technology but also exudes a sense of modernity. Surprisingly, you can also take a ride on the Toei Arakawa Line operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation to catch a glimpse of the everyday life of the common people.

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The Toei Arakawa Line train is the only publicly operated streetcar in Tokyo.

The Only Public Streetcar in Tokyo

The Arakawa Line opened in 1911 , like many streetcar systems in Japan during the early 20th century, it was once extremely popular. Today, it remains Tokyo's only public streetcar line. The line runs from Minowabashi to Waseda, spanning 30 stops and taking about an hour to travel the full length. A one-day pass costs just ¥400, allowing you to hop on and off at your leisure to explore the neighborhood—this area is even mentioned in Haruki Murakami’s novel “Norwegian Wood”.

Minowabashi Station: Explore Showa-era Shopping Streets

Shopping street near Minowabashi Station is filled with the nostalgic ambiance of the Showa era.

In this leisurely neighborhood, even the cats appear to be lazy and relaxed.

Before setting off, take a moment to explore the area around Minowabashi Station. This station is recognized as one of the "Top 100 Stations in Kanto" and is surrounded by a traditional shopping arcade that exudes Showa-era charm. Watching local residents chatting and shopping in the morning brings a sense of community warmth. For families, the next two stops—Arakawa Yuen and Arakawa Shako—are highly recommended. The former is a newly renovated park perfect for kids, featuring a Ferris wheel, carousel, and a long outdoor slide. There’s also a local tram museum with electric train models that delight train enthusiasts. After visiting the park, you can stroll 500 meters to Arakawa Shako to learn more about the history of the Arakawa Line and see its historical trams.

After renovations, Arakawa Amusement Park has become even more appealing and now operates until 8 pm on weekends.

The park's museum features electric train models, providing railway enthusiasts with an immersive experience.

Minowabashi Station shopping centre

Arakawa Amusement Park Playground

Benefits of the One-Day Pass

The beauty of the one-day pass is the unlimited rides, allowing you to hop on and off as you discover perfect spots for taking photos. If you visit during spring, you can also capture the beauty of cherry blossoms. Asukayama Park is perfect for both of these wishes. Located near the station, this historic park is one of the oldest in Tokyo, alongside Ueno Park and Shiba Park. Here, you can find old tram cars and footprints from trains, and it's also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot with about 600 cherry trees and over 15,000 azaleas. The pedestrian bridge outside the park offers excellent views for capturing the trams in action, making it a great photo opportunity.

The footbridge outside of Asukayama Park perfectly captures the various models of Arakawa Line trains passing by.

Sugamo Shopping Street: The Hotspot for Lucky Red Underwear

While young people flock to Harajuku, the neighborhood of Sugamo, located to the north of Tokyo, is often called "the Harajuku for older folks." Getting off at Koshinzuka Station leads you directly to Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street, which has been around since the Edo period. This 800-meter-long street features about 200 shops, with the charming red duck serving as its mascot. The main focus here is on clothing and food for middle-aged and elderly visitors, with the standout attraction being the store that specializes in "lucky red underwear." This store has expanded to two locations due to its popularity, offering not just underwear but other clothing options as well. It’s a great stop for those looking for a bit of good fortune for the New Year or simply a stroke of luck! Along the way, you can also find the many torii gates at Kishi-mama Shrine and the cherry blossoms along the Meguro River, both of which are perfect spots for photos.