Vintage train cars, quaint neighborhoods, and seasonal blooms. This is what you lay your eyes on when you ride the Tokyo Sakura Tram on the Toden Arakawa Line. Running from Minowabashi to Waseda, this charming streetcar stops by some of Tokyo’s hidden gems, including quiet cherry blossom spots and delightful cafes. All this, for a 1-day pass that costs just 400 yen. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Tokyo Sakura Tram?
Tokyo Sakura Tram is a streetcar operated by Toei that runs through lesser-known neighborhoods in Tokyo, from Minowabashi to Waseda. Officially it’s known as the Toden Arakawa Line. It started operating in 1913 and it was only in 2017 that it was dubbed “Tokyo Sakura Tram,” with the idea that the name will appeal to an inbound market. Aside from “Tokyo Sakura Tram” being easier to remember for English speakers, the streetcar was dubbed as so because the tram runs through several off the beaten path cherry blossom spots.
Tokyo Sakura Tram is one of the only two streetcars running in Tokyo, the other being Tokyu Setagaya Line.
Sightseeing Spots
MINOWABASHI STATION 🌹
Minowabashi Station is a sight to behold. Not only does it have a vintage Showa aesthetic, but rose bushes also line both sides of the track. Visit in May or November to see the roses in full bloom.
KO:HI:KAN Minowa Branch
Located right beside the train platform, the Minowa branch of KO:HI:KAN affords visitors a view of the Tokyo Sakura Tram as it comes and goes. It is also the only branch of Kohikan that serves pancakes with a tram design.
KO:HI:KAN Minowa Shop (珈琲館 三ノ輪店)
08:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Joyful Minowa Shopping Arcade
Like many shopping arcades in Japan, Joyful Minowa is reminiscent of the Showa period. It has several small stalls selling cheap but delicious food, including gyoza, yakitori, and wagashi.
Joyful Minowa Shopping Street (ジョイフル三ノ輪)
10:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Toden Hotel
Located inside Joyful Minowa, the Toden Hotel is a cozy place to stay in the area. The hotel is furbished with a bar/cafe, with a portion of the seating fashioned after actual tram seats. Stays start at ¥8,000 per night.
Toden Hotel, 都電野
Book on Booking.com
Google Maps
ARAKAWA NICHOME STATION 🌸
One of the most beautiful stops along the Toden Arakawa Line, Arakawa Nichome Station has a row of cherry blossom trees that bloom beautifully in spring.
Arakawa Nature Park 🌸
A cozy park with a children’s playground, a tennis court and a baseball field. It also has a garden with a lovely pond that has wooden walkways. White swans also reside in the pond, and you can see them enjoying the water or resting in their wooden swan houses.
Arakawa Nature Park (荒川自然公園)
07:00 to 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
ARAKAWA YUENCHI MAE STATION
Arakawa Amusement Park
This small but beloved park has been under renovation for a few years now and is scheduled to open in 2022. There are a few rides in the amusement park, mostly designed for children. You can meet a few animals up close, too, including a cow.
Behind Arakawa Amusement Park 🌸
This unnamed piece of land unfolds along the Sumida River and stretches from Arakawa Amusement Park to Yomiuri Newspaper’s North Plant. A row of cherry blossom trees also dot the area, which doesn’t get crowded even during sakura season. The calm atmosphere is ideal for a stroll or a bike ride.
ARAKAWA SHAKOMAE STATION
Toden Arakawa Base
This carport is where the trams go to sleep at night or rest while they’re not in use. It’s open to the public and you can see the trams make their way from the depot to the train line. You can also buy a one-day pass here.
Toden Arakawa Base (東京都交通局 荒川電車営業所)
09:00 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Toden Memorial Square
Located inside Toden Arakawa Base, Toden Memorial Square is a commemorative spot, where you can ride a stationary tram. There are plenty of photo opportunities here, especially for the train fanatic.
Toden Omoide Hiroba (Toden Memorial Square, 都電おもいで広場)
Open on weekends only, 10:00 to 16:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Cool Cafe
This modest cafe serves hamburgers and french toasts topped with generous amounts of whipped cream. You can watch the tram come and go as you enjoy your meal. The cafe is also located next to a watch store, presumably of the same owner, which is why you can see a gorgeous display of clocks and watches in one area of the cafe.
Cool Cafe (クールカフェ)
10:00 to 17:00, closed on Tuesdays
Google Maps
KAJIWARA STATION
Toden Monaka Akemi Seika
The shopping arcade in Kajiwara is relatively small, but it does have a major attraction: Akemi Seika, a wagashi shop that sells monaka in the shape of the Toden tram. The shop is also one of the filming locations for the 2013 Japanese drama, Yorozu Uranaidokoro Onmyoya e Yokoso starring Nishikido Ryo.
Toden Monaka Akemi Seika (都電もなか本舗 明美製菓)
10:00 to 19:00, closed on Mondays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
OJI EKIMAE STATION
Otonashi Water Park 🌸
This idyllic park comes alive in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It doesn’t get as crowded as the nearby Asukayama Park, but the cherry blossoms, coupled with the water wheel and the wooden bridge, are lovely just the same.
Otonashi Water Park (北区立音無親水公園)
Open 24 hours
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Asukayama Park 🌸
This enormous park is popular for both cherry blossoms and hydrangeas. Locals typically spend their hanami here, and pre-covid, the season was often celebrated with live performances and numerous food stalls. The Paper Museum and the former residence of Shibusawa Eiichi (Father of Japanese capitalism) are located on the park grounds.
Asukayama Park (飛鳥山公園)
Open 24 hours
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
NISHIGAHARA YONCHOME STATION
cafe & baru Tram
A cozy izakaya operating along the Toden Arakawa line. The cafe and bar is open for lunch and dinner.
cafe & baru Tram (カフェ＆バル トラム)
11:30 to 22:30, closed on Wednesdays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
KOSHINZUKA STATION
Kanmi Dokoro Ippuku-tei
This vintage cafe operates as an extension of Koshinzuka Station’s platform. They specialize in ohagi, a Japanese snack made of glutinous rice and sweet red bean paste. They serve ohagi in various flavors, including sakura flavor during cherry blossom season. You can also order yakisoba with ohagi for a more filling meal.
Kanmi Dokoro Ippuku-tei (甘味処いっぷく亭)
10:00 to 18:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
OTSUKA EKIMAE STATION
Onigiri Bongo
This shop’s rice balls are so loved, it’s rare to see it open without a long queue wrapping around the block. And by long queue, I mean sometimes you have to wait for an hour or so before you can get in. But the rice balls are absolutely worth the hype. They’re big and have delicious toppings. My personal favorite is the mentai cheese flavor.
Onigiri Bongo (おにぎり ぼんご 大塚本店)
11:30 to 21:00, closed on Sundays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
coco de tea
A cute, cozy cafe that serves picture-perfect fruity desserts. There’s a small stage where musicians play live, too.
coco de tea (ココデティー)
10:00 to 22:00, closed on Wednesdays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
KISHIBOJIMMAE STATION
Arteria Bakery
With a huge sign saying “melon bread,” this small bakery is hard to miss. The melon bread comes in different flavors, and you can order one with a whipped cream filling too.
Arteria Bakery Zoshigaya Branch (アルテリア・ベーカリー 雑司が谷店)
10:00 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Kishimojin 🌸
In Japanese Buddhism, Kishimojin is the name of the Goddess Children, and this beautiful temple is dedicated to her. People who pray for safe childbirth or simply want to pray for their children come to this beautiful temple. There is a small playground outside the temple with a handsome sakura tree.
Zoshigaya Kishimojin (雑司ケ谷 鬼子母神堂)
06:30 to 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
OMOKAGEBASHI STATION
Omokage Bridge 🌸
The gorgeous cherry blossoms in this area greet you as soon as the tram makes it way to the station. The view from the tram window is already picture-perfect, but seeing the flowers up close is even more captivating. The area is similar to the famed cherry blossom spot Nakameguro River, but there are significantly fewer people, so you can enjoy gazing at cherry blossoms without being stuck in an unmoving queue.
Omokage Bridge (面影橋)
Open 24 hours
Google Maps
WASEDA STATION
Hotel Chinzanso 🌸
One of Tokyo’s most coveted stays is at the 5-star hotel, Chinzanso. The hotel boasts a magnificent garden graced with seasonal blooms. The garden is open to the public, with some events charging a fee.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (ホテル椿山荘東京)
Book on Booking.com
Google Maps
Waseda University 🌸
Waseda is among Japan’s most famous universities. Visitors are free to explore the school grounds, with restricted access to classrooms and other facilities.
Waseda University (早稲田大学)
Official Website
Google Maps
How to Ride the Tokyo Sakura Tram
Tram Fares
| Price | |
| Adult | ￥170 |
| Child | ¥90 |
| 1-Day Pass | ¥400 |
Where to Buy the One Day Pass
To buy a one-day pass for Tokyo Sakura Tram, simply tell the driver as soon as you get on. (“Ichi nichi ken kudasai.”) The driver will then punch it for you, after which you’ll be asked to place ¥400 in the coin box. The ticket will be automatically issued and all you have to do is take it.
Alternatively, you can also buy the one-day pass at the following places:
Toden Arakawa Base (Arakawa Shakomae Station)
Sano Inbo (Machiya Ekimae Station)
Minowa Omoidekan (Minowabashi Station)
How to Get on and off the Tram
Ride at the front (where the driver is) and alight at the back. Press the button to tell the driver that you are getting off at the next station. Even when you are not getting off, move to the back of the car to give space to the people getting on. The tram also has designated spaces for wheelchair users and prams, so make sure to give way when the situation calls for it.
