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Ryogoku is known as
the sumo wrestling town because if you take a
stroll along the town, you will come across many
spots related to sumo wrestling. The Kokugikan
Sumo Stadium becomes the arena of sumo
tournaments for three times a year held in
January, May and September. Sumo Museum on the
first floor of Kokugikan has on display
sumo-related items such as ornamental aprons
used by champions, sculptures and photos of
famous wrestlers.
The items displayed
at the Edo-Tokyo Museum are idealistic for
tracing the history of Tokyo from the Edo period
up to the present moment. What you see here will
give you ideas about the lives of merchants,
craftsmen, townspeople and the Tokugawa shoguns.
Eko-in Temple is believed to be the place where
the first sumo match took place back in the Edo
period. On the street around Eko-in Temple,
tourists can see many sumo stables here and
occasionally wrestlers too. Interesting stores
such as 'chanko', Sumo wrestler's hot-pot
restaurants and shops selling wrestler-size
wears can be found in this area of town.
Edo Street between
Asakusabashi Station and Kuramae Station is a
wholesale district. Textile products, Japanese
dolls and toys are among the many merchandise on
sale here. The world-renowned Akihabara offers
tourists a good chance to view and buy the
latest electronic products and gadgets. More
than 250 electrical appliances and electronics
shops including duty-free shops are found in the
small area around Chuodori Street, west of
Akihabara Station. It is important for tourists
to take note of the differences in electric
voltage for items that are to be used outside
Japan.
How to get
around in Ryogoku, Asakusabashi and Akihabara
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Start from
Ryogoku Station, West Exit
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Walk 5 minutes
to get to Kokugikan Sumo Stadium and Museum
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Walk 2 minutes
to get to Edo-Tokyo Museum
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Walk 5 minutes
to get to Eko-in Temple and traditional
stores
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Walk 15 minutes
to get to Asakusabashi Tonya Town (wholesale
district)
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Then from
Asakusabashi Station, take a 2 minutes ride
on the JR Sobu Line
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Arrive at
Akihabara Station
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End trip at
Akihabara Station
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