Tomioka Hachiman-gū

Asakusa & Sumida River


Founded in 1627, this shrine is famous as the birthplace of the sumo tournament. Around the back of the main building is the yokozuna (sumo grand champions) stone, carved with the names of each of these champion wrestlers. Near the entrance are the two gilded, jewel-studded mikoshi (portable shrines), used in the Fukagawa Hachiman festival in mid-August; the larger one weighs 4.5 tonnes.

A good flea market is held here usually on the first and second Sunday of every month. Over a hundred vendors turn up – the first Sunday of the month specialising in Western items, the second in Japanese and other Asian pieces.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Asakusa & Sumida River attractions

1. Fukagawa Fudō-dō

0.18 MILES

Belonging to the esoteric Shingon sect, at this active temple you can attend one of the city's most spectacular religious rituals. Goma (fire rituals)…

2. Fukagawa Edo Museum

0.62 MILES

During the Edo period (1603–1868), Fukagawa was a typical working-class neighbourhood, with narrow alleys and tenement homes. You can get an idea of what…

3. Kiyosumi-teien

0.63 MILES

One of Tokyo's most picturesque retreats, Kiyosumi-teien started out in 1721 as the villa of a daimyō (domain lord; regional lord under the shoguns)…

4. Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (MOT)

0.65 MILES

For a primer in the major movements of post-WWII Japanese art, a visit to the permanent collection gallery here should do the trick. Temporary exhibitions…

5. Tsukudako-bashi

0.99 MILES

This tiny, picturesque bridge with attractive red rails spans a tidal inlet and is a popular filming location for TV shows and movies.

6. Sumiyoshi-jinja

1 MILES

This small shrine is dedicated to the protection of fishermen (look for the detailed wooden carvings of them on the building's beams). It was originally…

7. Tsukuda Ohashi

1.1 MILES

Linking Tsukiji to the island of Tsukishima, this was the first bridge to be built over the Sumida-gawa after WWII.

8. Amazake Yokochō

1.29 MILES

The hub of Ningyōchō, Amazake Yokochō is a delightful shopping street lined with age-old businesses, including several good craft shops. It's named after…