Koto-ku

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Koto-ku (江東区) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan.Located slightly east of Tokyo’s metropolitan center, Koto is home to an estimated 42,271 residents (as of a 2008 census) and is bordered by Sumidagawa on the west and Arakawa on the east. Districts within Koto include Kiba, Kiyosumi, Kameido, Monzen-nakacho, and Shirakawa. Additionally, the waterfront of Ariake and parts of Odaiba are considered to be within Koto’s borders.

Because much of the land in Koto is reclaimed and on the Tokyo Bay waterfront, between Chuo and Edogawa, there are multiple shrines and temples within its borders.

History

Before the reformation of Tokyo’s wards, the western half of Koto was once the Fukagawa Ward, as designated in 1932 when Tokyo City was formed. This section of the city was greatly destroyed during the air raids of World War II. Fukagawa, along with Joto were combined on March 15, 1947 when the special wards of Tokyo were formed to create Koto. Notable Locations

Within Koto, there are many notable locations to visit. Shrines such as the Kameido Tenjin Shinto Shrine and the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine are remnants of reclaimed land and major tourist draws throughout the year. The Museum of Contemporary Art and Tokyo Big Sight are located on Odaiba along with Ariake Coliseum. Other locations in Koto include:

The Fukogawa Neighborhood

Of Koto’s many neighborhoods, Fukogawa is among the most visited due to its large collection of shrines and temples and historical significance. Located 3 kilometers east of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, Fukagawa is just over the Sumida River and is known as a more working class district. During the Edo Period, this area was a merchant district and the open space and traditional buildings still reflect that.

The Fukagawa Edo Museum is best known in this area as an indoor recreation of what Edo era Fukagawa looked like in the 19th Century before the end of the shogunate. It costs 300 yen for adults and 50 yen for children to enter. In addition to recreations, there are multiple old pictures and a museum to view historical documents and artifacts from the era.

Another popular Fukagawa location is the Kiyosumi Teien Gardens located on Kiyosumi-dori Avenue. This area is a recreation of what an Edo Period Daimyo’s pleasure grounds would look like, with the traditional Japanese landscaping and sukiya style pond with small islands.

Major Districts

Train and Subway

Notable Koto Citizens

Koto has produced many famous celebrities and public figures including the actor Shintaro Katsu, singers Yoshimi Iwasaki and Kaori Mochida, baseball player Daisuke Matsuzaka, writer Miyuki Miyabe, and artist Suiho Tagawa.