Yanagi Bridge — Attraction in Tokyo

I am revising my review and open with the declaration that the Yanagibashi [Willow Bridge] is my favorite bridge in Tokyo. Beautiful bridge over the Kanda River built in 1923 (but with several previous incarnations, some recorded in ukiyo-e/Japanese woodblock prints). The last bridge before the Kanda River joins the Sumida River. The railing of the bridge is decorated with 'bejeweled' traditional Japanese hair ornaments used by courtesans in the Edo and Meiji Eras. The illustration is by 滝田ゆう Takita Yuu in a 1975 manga. He was familiar, no doubt, with the haiku by 正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902). 春の夜や女見返る柳橋 (Haru no yo ya, onna migaeru Yanagibashi) which roughly translates (retaining the syllabic structure of the form): "Night time in the Spring Turning to admire a lass Crossing Willow Bridge." The illustration on the bridge's bronze information plaque is subtle and very evocative. It is worth visiting this somewhat remote and lonely (at night) spot. It seems to me a spot that preserves the...

The Kanda River in Tokyo starts at Inokashira Pond and flows about 25 km through the city. It used to be a busy waterway for boats carrying goods. Yanagibashi, at the end of the river, became a hub for water activities. The bridge at Yanagibashi has been rebuilt several times, and the current one was completed in 1929. It's designed to allow boats to pass easily. The area around Yanagibashi became popular during the Edo and Meiji periods, known for its lively entertainment district. Yanagibashi's scenes from the past can still be sensed today through boat houses, restaurants, and Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine...

Went there november 2022. A very nice and quiet walk next to the river, the sight of the boats and buildings at the sunset has looks like in a painting. I could only imagine from ukiyo-e woodblock prints how things looked back then, but somehow still felt it in the atmosphere of...