Arakawa, Tokyo


Arakawa is a special ward in the Tokyo Metropolis in Japan. The ward takes its name from the Arakawa River, though the river does not run through or touch the ward. The ward borders the Sumida River, which was once the lower section of the Arakawa river. Neighboring wards are Adachi, Kita, Bunkyo, Taito and Sumida. In English, the ward's official name is Arakawa City.
Arakawa has sister-city relationships with Donaustadt in Vienna, Austria, and with Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. Domestically, it has similar relationships with nine cities, towns and villages.
As of May 1, 2015, the ward has an estimated population of 208,763, and a population density of about 20,550 persons per km2. The total area is 10.16 km2.
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Geography

Arakawa is in the northeastern part of Tokyo. The shape is long and narrow, stretching from west to east. The Sumida River forms the northern boundary.
The ward is surrounded by five other special wards. To the north lies Adachi; to the west, Kita; to the southwest, Bunkyo. South of Arakawa is Taito, and southeast is Sumida.

History

The area was mainly agricultural in the Edo period. In 1651, Kozukappara, the Tokugawa's largest execution ground, was built. Beginning in the Meiji era, the area became industrial as factories were built on the waterfront. In 1932, it became one of the 35 wards of Tokyo City.
On 1 July 1944, during World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army established the #20-B prisoner-of-war camp on the grounds near Hashiba Bridge, Minami-Senju, at the current day location with the address of 3-41 Minami-Senju, Arakawa. The camp was renamed to #10-B in August 1945. The prisoners were liberated in September 1945. At the time, there were 256 prisoners of war held at the camp. Two prisoners died during their imprisonment.
Other events:

Districts and neighborhoods

;Mikawashima Area
  • Arakawa
  • Higashinipporia
  • Machiyab
;Minamisenju Area
  • Minamisenju
;Nippori Area
  • Nishinippori
  • Higashinipporic
;Ogu Area
  • Higashiogu
  • Nishiogu
  • Machiyad
Notes:
a -

b -

c -

d -

Notable people

Economy

MIAT Mongolian Airlines's Tokyo Branch Office is on the fifth floor in the Tachibana Building in Arakawa. Iseki, a tractor and engine equipment manufacturer has its Tokyo head office in the ward.
Nippori Fabric Town, is known for a concentration of shops specializing in fabric and textiles.

Landmarks

Education

Metropolitan high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.
Private schools:
Public elementary and junior high schools are operated by the Arakawa City Board of Education.
Municipal junior high schools:
  • No. 1 Junior High School
  • No. 3 Junior High School
  • No. 4 Junior High School
  • No. 5 Junior High School
  • No. 7 Junior High School
  • No. 9 Junior High School
  • Hara Junior High School
  • Minamisenju No. 2 Junior High School
  • Ogu Hachiman Junior High School
  • Suwadai Junior High School
Municipal elementary schools:
  • No. 2 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 3 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 4 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 5 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 7 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 9 Haketa Elementary School
  • No. 1 Nippori Elementary School
  • No. 2 Nippori Elementary School
  • No. 3 Nippori Elementary School
  • No. 6 Nippori Elementary School
  • No. 2 Zuiko Elementary School
  • No. 3 Zuiko Elementary School
  • No. 6 Zuiko Elementary School
  • Akado Elementary School
  • Daimon Elementary School
  • Haketa Elementary School
  • Higurashi Elementary School
  • Ogu Elementary School
  • Ogu No. 6 Elementary School
  • Ogu Miyamae Elementary School
  • Ogu Nishi Elementary School
  • Shioiri Elementary School
  • Shioiri Higashi Elementary School
  • Zuiko Elementary School
The Tokyo First Korean Elementary and Junior High School, a North Korean school, is in the ward.
The metropolis operated the Tokyo Metropolitan College of Aeronautical Engineering in Arakawa until 2010.

Transportation

Rail

Additional facilities are under construction.

Major roads

  • Route 4
  • Meiji Street
  • Ogubashi Street
  • Otakebashi Street