🏙 Overview｜Tokyo’s Waterfront Living Next to the City Center
Nestled between the Sumida River and the Arakawa River, facing Tokyo Bay,
Kōtō City is one of Tokyo’s largest waterfront districts.
Much of its land was reclaimed, forming a unique harmony between waterways and modern city life.
From the futuristic areas of Toyosu, Ariake, and Shinonome,
to the nostalgic neighborhoods of Fukagawa, Monzen-Nakachō, Kiba, and Kameido,
the ward offers incredible diversity — home to over 500,000 residents today.
🪶 Origin of the Name
Kōtō City was established in 1947, when the former Fukagawa Ward and Jōtō Ward merged.
The name combines “Kō (江)”, meaning “river” from Fukagawa, and “Tō (東)”, meaning “east” from Jōtō —
symbolizing “the eastern side of the Sumida River.”
📜 A Brief History
🪵 Edo Period – The City of Timber and Waterways
Fukagawa thrived as a hub of river transport and timber distribution,
known as Kiba — the lumber district that rebuilt Edo after great fires.
(Operations later moved to Shin-Kiba, where the name lives on.)
🏙 Modern & Post-War Era – Rebirth and Industry
After the Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII, Kōtō rebuilt as a center for canals and warehouses.
Kiyosumi Garden, restored by Mitsubishi founder Iwasaki Yatarō in the Meiji Era,
remains one of Tokyo’s most scenic strolling gardens.
🌅 Present Day – Redevelopment and the Bayfront Boom
The opening of Toyosu Market (2018) turned Kōtō into a symbol of Tokyo’s evolving food culture.
In 2024, Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai debuted, combining gourmet dining, hot-spring spa, and shopping —
marking the district’s transformation into a lively Tokyo Bay destination.
🏘 Area Highlights
🌾 Fukagawa & Monzen-Nakachō
Historic temples like Tomioka Hachimangū and Fukagawa Fudō-dō anchor a rich Edo heritage.
Strolling streets lined with traditional shops, this is “old-town Tokyo” at its best.
☕ Kiba & Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
Once the heart of Tokyo’s lumber trade, now reborn as the city’s “coffee-town.”
Art galleries, museums, and stylish cafés fill the streets — perfect for creative minds.
🏙 Toyosu・Ariake・Shinonome
A modern bayfront skyline of high-rise residences, shopping malls, and hotels.
Home to Toyosu Market, Ariake Garden, and Tokyo Big Sight,
these areas embody Tokyo’s cutting-edge urban living with open-air waterfront views.
🌳 Shin-Kiba & Yume-no-Shima
Reclaimed green zones with Yume-no-Shima Park, a tropical plant museum, and marina facilities —
an oasis where nature and recreation meet.
🏠 Kameido & Ōjima
Classic shopping arcades and peaceful residential streets.
Affordable living with excellent access to central Tokyo, ideal for families.
🚉 Transportation Access｜Rail & Subway
Kōtō boasts an extensive network connecting central Tokyo, the bay area, and both airports ✈️
🚆 Key Hubs:
Shin-Kiba: Junction for JR Keiyō Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakuchō Line, and Rinkai Line.
Kokusai-Tenjijō (Ariake): Direct to Shibuya & Shinjuku via the Rinkai Line.
Monzen-Nakachō: Interchange for the Tozai Line × Oedo Line — straight to Ōtemachi & Roppongi.
Toyosu–Ariake: Connected to Shiodome & Odaiba by the Yurikamome Line.
🚗 Road & Bridge Access
The Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route and Route 357 run east–west along the bay,
offering smooth links to airports and port facilities.
🌉 Tokyo Gate Bridge
A 2.6 km bridge connecting Wakasu (Kōtō) and Jonanjima (Ōta).
Nicknamed the “Dinosaur Bridge,” it features a pedestrian walkway with stunning bay views.
🏛 Landmarks & Cultural Spots
🐟 Toyosu Market — one of the world’s largest wholesale markets with viewing decks, restaurants, and hot-spring complex Senkyaku Banrai.
🏢 Tokyo Big Sight — Japan’s largest convention center, hosting international exhibitions and anime events.
💧 teamLab Planets TOKYO — an immersive “walk-through water” digital art museum, expanding in 2025.
🌿 Kiyosumi Garden — a Meiji-era strolling garden once owned by the Iwasaki family.
⛩ Tomioka Hachimangū & Fukagawa Fudō-dō — sacred temples preserving Edo’s spiritual culture.
🌴 Yume-no-Shima Tropical Greenhouse Dome — over 1,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants.
🏠 Real Estate & Living (As of 2025)
💴 Average Rent Range (1 Room / 1K – Family 2LDK and up)
Toyosu / Ariake / Shinonome → ￥130,000 – ￥180,000 / ￥250,000 – ￥400,000 ｜High-rise towers & premium views
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa / Kiba → ￥110,000 – ￥140,000 / ￥200,000 – ￥320,000 ｜Trendy art & café neighborhoods
Monzen-Nakachō / Fukagawa → ￥100,000 – ￥130,000 / ￥190,000 – ￥300,000 ｜Central access via Tozai Line
Kameido / Ōjima → ￥85,000 – ￥110,000 / ￥160,000 – ￥240,000 ｜Family-friendly & cost-efficient
Shin-Kiba / Yume-no-Shima → ￥80,000 – ￥100,000 / ￥150,000 – ￥210,000 ｜Quiet green residential zones
🏢 Market Insights
🏙 Bay Area (Toyosu・Ariake・Shinonome)
Iconic towers and large-scale residences dominate the skyline.
Complete urban infrastructure — schools, clinics, malls — makes it ideal for families and investors alike.
Ongoing redevelopment continues to boost long-term asset value.
🏡 Fukagawa・Monzen-Nakachō・Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
Blend of old-town charm and modern convenience.
Revitalized by cafés, galleries, and renovated townhouses, these neighborhoods offer exceptional quality of life.
🏠 Kameido・Ōjima
Affordable rents and strong family demand. Upcoming redevelopment projects point to rising property values.
🌳 Shin-Kiba・Yume-no-Shima
Close to parks and the bay, with sports and leisure facilities for active lifestyles.
Perfect for those seeking a balance between city access and nature.
💡 Kōtō Trivia for Locals
🪵 “Kiba” — Legacy of Lumber
Kiba once stored the timber that built Edo. In the 1970s the industry moved to Shin-Kiba, but its history lives on through Kiba Park and the Wood Museum.
🌉 Walk the Tokyo Gate Bridge
Take the elevator from Wakasu Park and enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay and the city skyline — a hidden gem for photographers!
📌 Summary
Kōtō City is where tradition meets transformation —
a rare fusion of Edo’s waterfront heritage and Tokyo Bay’s modern energy.
From temples and old shopping streets to gardens, museums, and towering residences,
it offers a complete lifestyle for living, working, and relaxing by the water.
🌊✨ “Tokyo’s closest seaside city life” — that’s Kōtō City.