The Corporate Sage: Nihonbashi Bridge And Sumida River Cruise

Last September 06, our class was given the opportunity to take a river cruise in Sumida River with a discounted price. Grabbing the opportunity, I was able to join the limited slots available for the cruise that happened on September 9. The class was supposed to meet in the Nihonbashi Bridge for a quick tour before the cruise starts. But since I got totally lost along the way, I arrived late and decided to take my own quick tour on my way to the bridge. Along the way, I visited the COREDO mall and the Prometheus statue. In arriving at the bridge, I noticed statues of lions and dragons in its side. I believe these statues were constructed in the belief that they were meant to protect Edo from any harm, to watch on anyone who crosses the bridge. According to an article entitled “Nihonbashi is Edo” by Eichman and Tsujino, the bridge was constructed in 1603, and was of great significance to Japanese history. It was first built in wood, but got burned down after the great fire disaster. It was then reconstructed to granite. If there is a western quote saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” this quote could be applied in Nihonbashi. All major rods led to this bridge, the reason for the efficient connection between Edo and the Imperial Palace. In observing the bridge, I noticed that there was a mark in the top part of the bridge. Since I can’t read nihongo, I researched about it when I went home. There I knew that the mark was the basis of measuring the distance in whole of Japan.

The Nihonbashi Bridge gave a huge impact to Japanese History. Since it was connecting Edo to the Imperial palace, it became the center of trade. A lot of businesses have set up near the bridge, including the Tsukiji fish market and Mitsukoshi department store, the first department store ever built in Japan.

Looking at the view of the bridge, I was a bit disappointed. The bridge was really beautiful, but then it was covered under a huge expressway (constructed during the Tokyo Olympics). According to the same article by Eichman and Tsujino, about 2/3 of the respondents in a survey by Nikkei BP in knowing what they thought about the expressway, answered that they wanted it removed. But since the costs were too big if it was removed (about $4-5 million), so they decided to keep it that way. I would’ve also wanted to remove the expressway, or maybe move it underground, because the expressway really takes the historical aura of the bridge.

After a quick look around the place, we started our river cruise. Since the tour would be explained in Japanese, I took the initiative to research ahead about the place before I arrived. In an article entitled “Sumida River and Edo culture,” I learned that the Sumida River played a really important role in Edo. Not only was it contributing to agriculture through easy access of water, but it also played an important role in the culture development of Edo, and in transportation of goods and other stuff, from one place to another, since the Sumida river flows through Tokyo. It also served as source of marine resources aside from agriculture, which was the reason the Tsukiji Fish market was established along the river in Nihonbashi Bridge. It also has its disadvantages too. Because it was connected to the ocean, flooding occurs frequently, and waste was disposed in it. But the government was able to answer that solution by connecting it to another river and by transporting the organic waste like manure for agricultural purposes. In my own opinion, the Sumida River also played an important role in its Empire, serving as a defense because invaders would have to ride boats and cross the river to attack the Imperial Castle, therefore giving ample time for the Japanese to prepare for a defense and a counter attack.

I also enjoyed the view while taking the river cruise. There were a lot of amazing and breathtaking scenes of skyscrapers and bridges. I was also able to get an amazing view of the Tokyo Skyscraper from afar.

In observance to this tour, I am amazed on how the Japanese people perfectly blend history and modernity. On how they give utmost importance in preserving their history, but at the same time they still manage to be an economic power. I believe that this should be a lesson that I will be imparting to my home country, that a country is not successful if you do not look at and give importance to your history.

Here are some Pictures from the trip. Enjoy! :)