Brief Introduction:
The Sumida Community Ambassadors Program is a local perspective exchange initiative to promote mutual understanding and friendship between locals and visitors. It’s a tour-based program led by the Sumida Community Ambassadors Program Staff.
Sumida City will show some of the city’s famous spots, and ambassadors will promote these spots through their social networks.
So, the Sumida Community Ambassadors Program can create a chance for residents to share their local experiences and knowledge with people from other countries.
Who are Ambassadors from around the world?
Sumida City Office chose 10 Community Ambassadors from 10 different countries.
The Appointment Ceremony was held in the Sumida City Office at 10:00 clock on August 21, 2022, before the First Tour started.
Appointed Sumida Community Ambassadors are:
1. America- Andrea
2. Azerbaijan- Pervin
3.Bangaladesh- Purna Lal Chakma
4.Canada-Laurier Tiernan
5. France- Anthony
6. Indonesia-Asti
7. Mexico-SANDYAEL
8. Taiwan-UI
9.Thailand-Sakarin Sawasdinaak
10. Vietnam-Yurin inJapan
It’s important to note that the Ambassador Trip is associated with 11 Sumida Community Ambassadors Program Staff. So altogether, we’re 21 people on the First Trip.
Places in the First Trip
Sumida City has many exciting places. However, the First Trip covers some of the most popular attractions.
The trip included-
· Japanese Sword Museum
· Former Yasuda Garden
· Makurabashi Bridge
· Atelier Sogeikan
· Uosai
· Ushijima Shrine
· Sumida Park-Tokyo Skytree
#1) Japanese Sword Museum:
The Japanese Sword Museum is an attraction for sword lovers.
The museum is just next to the Former Yasuda Garden.
Besides, it’s close to Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Stadium). It is only one minute walk from the stadium.
The museum is the perfect place for Japanese Sword enthusiasts. In addition, the museum houses many pieces of history.
Moreover, it has some items designated as National Treasures.
Read more about the Japanese Sword Museum.
#2) Former Yasuda Garden:
Former Yasuda Garden (Kyu-Yasuda Teien) is a small strolling Japanese garden next to the Japanese Sword Museum in Ryogoku. Ryogoku is known as Sumo Town in Tokyo.
It’s a perfect place to-
- relax
- photograph scene of a Japanese garden
- watch cranes, turtles, and Koi
- breath in the nature
Read more about the Former Yasuda Garden (Kyu-Yasuda Teien).
#3) Makurabashi Bridge:
Later, the Sumida Community Ambassadors Staff took the team to Makurabashi Bridge.
The bridge is at Tokyo Mizumachi, between Tobu Railway and the Sumida City office. It’s a great place.
They viewed the lovely Tokyo Skytree standing on the bridge.
People can see Tokyo Skytree from anywhere in Sumida Ward. But, the view from Makurabashi Bridge is impressive.
#4) Atelier Sogeikan:
Edo Mojikaki is the process of adding handwritten characters and family crests to paper lanterns, wooden tags, signboards, or any other wood-related products.
The aim was originally for decorative purposes.
If you visit Japan, you’ll see lanterns in the shrine with special characters. But you see different characters in the light in front of a restaurant.
The use of the fonts varies in locations and occasions.
Atelier Sogeikan shop offers a wide range of teaching this traditional Japanese art form.
You can buy beautiful Edo Moji souvenirs, including lanterns, lights, fans, and clothes.
Worth visiting it.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (irregular holidays)
Access:
8 minutes walk from Kinshicho Station (JR and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
8 minutes walk from Oshiage Station (Toei Asakusa Line, Keisei Oshiage Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
Address:
3-8-2 ,Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone number: 03-3622-2381
Website:
#5) Uosai:
Uosai restaurant has a long history. It started in 1914.
The food at Mukojima has been a new style of Japanese cuisine for over 100 years.
The restaurant is famous for Seafood. It’s also specialist Yakitori(chicken).
· the restaurant is elegant
· reasonable
· clean
· the service is excellent
Uosai made the Sumida Community Ambassadors happy with its delicious foods.
Opening hours
11:30-13:30/17:00-20:00
Holiday
Wednesday
Phone number: 03-3622-7428
(Note: The opening hours and holidays may change. Please call before your visit)
Access:
10 minutes walk from Honjo Azumabashi Station (Toei Asakusa Line)
11 minutes walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/ Tobu Line)
8 minutes walk from Tokyo Skytree Station(Tobu Line)
Address:
2-2-10 Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Website:
#6) Ushijima Shrine:
The Ushijima Shrine is a Shinto shrine inside Sumida Park.
Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) founded the shrine in 860 to protect the people living east of the Sumida River from storms.
Ushijima means ‘Cow Island.’ So people dedicated the shrine to the many cows.
Taisai is the main festival of the shrine. The festival lasts two days.
Opening hours:
5:30-17:30 (Summer)
(Note: It depends on it sunrise & sunset. The opening hours of the gate may change in winter)
Access:
7 minutes walk from Honjo Azumabashi Station(Toei Asakusa Line)
10 minutes walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/ Tobu Line)
10 Minutes walk from Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Line)
Address:
1 Chome-4-5 Mukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo.
Website:
#7 Sumida Park- Tokyo Skytree:
The Sumida Community Ambassadors got about 40 minutes to see around Tokyo Mizumachi.
Besides, there was a festival at Sumida Park. So many joined in the taiko dance, including some of the team members.
Later, the team headed toward Tokyo Skytree, following the Tobu Railway.
We stopped at Naruto Beya! It’s a Sumo Wrestler apartment.
The room even has a sumo stage where the sumo wrestlers practice daily. Many of us took photos with them.
The room is just in front of SHOP&WORKSHOP SUMIZUMI.
The store keeps various kinds of souvenirs.
Besides, it also keeps crystal-clean sake cups.
Finally, we arrived at Tokyo Skytree Town (Tokyo Solamachi) at 17:00. It was the Ambassador’s first trip’s final destination.
So, the time came to say, ‘See you again.’
Some left for home, but a few went to the Solamachi 30th floor to see Tokyo Skytree.
It was a great day.
My experience as a participant:
I had a good time on the First Tour. The program has been a great privilege.
Sumida Community Ambassadors Program Staff did their best to take care of us and show us their hospitality. Even the mayor of Sumida City, Mr. Toru Yamamoto, took photos with us, which we didn’t expect beforehand.
Overall, it was a great experience.
Final words:
The program can offer many benefits for both locals and visitors. It is a great way to promote tourism in Sumida City.
For locals, it is an opportunity to meet people from different cultures and learn about their customs.
At the same time, the program will offer visitors immersive information about the local culture and tourism of Sumida City.