The Best Spots in Chūō Ward, Tokyo,According to an Expert
Takashi Tsunoda
Sumisho Hotel
It is a daily-use hot spring inn that retains the remnants of the Edo period. Please use it as a base for exploring Tokyo or as a place to unwind and relieve business fatigue. The hotel has 83 rooms.
- web site
- https://sumisho-hotel.co.jp/
- address
- 9-14 Nihonbashi Kobunacho, Chuo-ku
- telephone number
- 03-3661-4603
Hamacho Park
I used to take my children to Hamacho Park when they were still young. It’s such a spacious place that when we brought a picnic, we could spend the whole day there without getting bored. We’d play on the playground equipment in the grassy children’s park, and then move to the biotope area to observe the insects that gathered there. One day, my daughter found a caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly, and we decided to raise it. We watched its transformation from a chrysalis to a butterfly, as it spread its wings. Perhaps it was this experience of connecting with nature and interacting with insects that influenced her future choices. Even though it’s located in the city center, the fact that Hamacho Park offers an environment where one can embrace nature is its greatest appeal.
My younger child used to play badminton, so we frequently visited the Comprehensive Sports Center. I’d also like to share how well-equipped it is as a sports facility. In addition to the arena and heated pool, there are martial arts dojos, a kyudo (archery) range, table tennis courts, archery fields, and an air rifle range. It also has a training room and a golf practice area. The facility is open to non-residents as well, so it’s a smart idea to stop by on your way home from work or head there for a workout from a nearby accommodation. Furthermore, the park extends along the Sumida River, so you can take a leisurely stroll along the riverbank, enjoying the “Sumida River Terrace,” which is beautifully landscaped with seasonal flowers and plants.
In the early spring, many people visit Hamacho Park for cherry blossom viewing, and in the summer, there is the “Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Festival,” where visitors enjoy watching traditional dance performances on a lantern-decorated yagura stage, as well as bon dancing and festival stalls around the large yagura. In the fall and winter, the vibrant autumn leaves are truly heartwarming. Throughout the year, Hamacho Park has a unique power to attract people. For travelers visiting Tokyo for sightseeing, aren’t there times when the crowds at popular tourist spots can feel overwhelming? If that’s the case, why not take a break and relax in a safe, spacious, and open park like Hamacho Park?
I run “Sumisho Hotel,” which I describe as an everyday hot spring inn for regular use. Many accommodations aim to provide extraordinary experiences, offering special moments that guests can’t normally enjoy. We used to think the same way, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of guests drastically decreased, we implemented a “free stay” initiative. As a result, many of the visitors were locals who came to enjoy the bath, have a meal, and then stay overnight, highlighting the importance of the reassurance that comes from everyday life, which feels like an extension of their daily routine. In Chuo Ward, there are many places for children to play, and we want people to appreciate the significance of simple daily moments, like families packing a lunch and going to the park. That’s why I recommend Hamacho Park.
Hamacho Park
- address
- 2-59-1 Nihonbashi Hamacho, Chuo-ku