A day in Sumida Ward; Following in the footsteps of Hokusai

For the typical foreign tourist to Tokyo, a stop at Asakusa’s temples and souvenir shops is a must. Visitors tend to stop by the edge of the Sumida river and take pictures with the iconic TOKYO SKYTREE℠ in the background. However, not everyone takes the time to cross the Azuma-bashi Bridge into Sumida ward. Home to the imposing TOKYO SKYTREE℠, the other side of the Sumida river is quieter but no less interesting and has an authentic feel to it. While exploring it’s calm streets where you can find with hidden history and art in the most unlikely places, we encountered the spots that served as inspiration for one of the most influential Japanese artists: Katsushika Hokusai.