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Kachidoki Bridge
The machine rooms at the foot of both arches of the bridge. These are a reminder of good old days when the cars were stopped to open and close the arches.
Kachidoki Bridge is bascule bridge, which is rare in Japan, and has been closed since 1970. A long time ago, many people gathered to see the big iron arches moving.
Lighted up at night 
Kachidoki Bridge is one of the symbols of Tokyo
The Sumida River is one of Tokyo's major rivers that flows through the shitamachi area (old downtown). At present the river is spummed with 27 bridges for use by pedestrians and cars including express ways and 25 bridges can be crossed by pedestrians. The Senju Ohhashi Bridge is very old, which were originally built some hundreds of years ago during the Edo period. This bridge has witnessed the history from the Edo period through the present time.
Among those, the Kachidoki Bridge is especially unique. Being the closest bridge to the Tokyo Bay in the lower Sumida, the Kachidoki Bridge was erected in 1940 to commemorate the victory of the former Japanese army in the battle of Lushun during the Russo-Japanese War (kachidoki means "a shout of victory" in Japanese). The bridge is 246-meters long, 22-meters wide and is the only double-leaf bascule bridge over the Sumida, which is designed to open from the center by raising each leaf about 70 degrees. Powered by electricity, each opening/closing operation took about 70 seconds. The bridge was opened five times a day for about 20 minutes each and gathered visitors who watched the operation.
It is recommended to have a look at the bridge from a cruise ship
Sumida River Terrace, a promenade along the Sumida River 
Until motorization began and highways were built, the rivers had been the major route for Tokyo's urban transportation. The area where the Kachidoki Bridge is located was formerly lined by a number of warehouses and was busy with large freighters.
As the overland traffic increased during the postwar high-growth period and the number of freighters diminished, the bridge stopped its operation in 1970 and has been closed since then. Former control rooms are still found and old traffic lights on top of the rooms remind us of the days when cars were stopped every time the bridge opened.
Along the Sumida River today, a new riverside walkway named Sumidagawa Terrace has been installed and attracts people who enjoy walking while admiring the riverfront view of high-rise buildings and bridges. A tour via water bus through the shitamachi area is also popular for tourists. Right off from the southeast end of the Kachidoki Bridge is the Tsukishima area, which is known for a griddle-cooked local dish called monja-yaki. Enjoy the taste of downtown Tokyo to complete your tour.
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Address: |
Tsukiji 6-chome/Kachidoki 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
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Access: |
5-minute walk from Kachidoki Sta. on the Toei subway Oedo Line, or 10-minute walk from Tsukishima Sta. on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line |
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Visitor information: |
The bridge is illuminated at nighttime. To enjoy the entire view of the bridge, use Sumidagawa Terrace walkway or Water Bus route. Water Bus stops are available in Asakusa, Hama-rikyu Gardens, and Hinode Pier. |
Click here to visit “Tokyo’s Attractions by Area” for information about the areas surrounding this route.
Click here for useful information about transportation, including One-day pass.
Click here for accommodation search in the areas surrounding this route.
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