Tokyo Life

"Our Tokyo" Sea of Tokyo

*This article is based on information available at the time of the interview.
For the latest information, please contact the organization directly.

Sandy Beaches in Tokyo

 

The sea in Tokyo faces the Pacific Ocean. It is easy to go to the ocean from the center of Tokyo. There are parks where you can enjoy swimming in the summer. You can also take a walk on sandy beaches, enjoy sunbathing, and have a BBQ. Let's take a look at three of the most popular parks　in Tokyo.

 

Tokyo Metropolitan Kasai Marine Park・West Beach

6 Rinkai-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo

Features:

  1. It is the only place in Tokyo where you can swim in the ocean. (Mid-July to mid-August.)
  2. A wide sandy beach stretching out for 830 meters.
  3. You can enjoy catching shellfish.
 

Odaiba Marine Park・Odaiba Beach

1-4-1Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Features:

  1. There is a place where you can fish. (Swimming is prohibited.)
  2. 800 meters of sandy beach.
  3. There are shopping malls.
 

Jonanjima Seaside Park

4-2-2 Jonanjima, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Features:

  1. You can enjoy catching shellfish. (Swimming and fishing are prohibited.)
  2. A 440-meter-long sandy beach.
  3. There is a campground.
 

Fish Caught in Tokyo Bay

 

Tokyo Bay faces the prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. It covers an area of about 1,380 square kilometers and has six large ports, such as; the Port of Tokyo, the Port of Yokohama, and the Port of Chiba. This bay is an important place where up to 500 large ships, including cargo ships and tankers, come and go each day. In fact, many kinds of fish are caught in Tokyo Bay. It is also home to horse mackerel, flounder, sea bass, conger-eel, and many species of shellfish such as clams. Fish and shellfish caught in Tokyo Bay are called "Edomae". Tokyo used to be called "Edo". "Edomae" means fish caught in the sea in front of Edo. Have you ever seen a noren (shop curtain) of a sushi restaurant with the word "Edomae" written on it? Nigirizushi made with Edomae fish is called "Edomae-sushi". This is one of the local dishes of Tokyo.

 

Zero-Meter Zone (Zero Meters Above Sea Level)

 

Do you know the term "above sea level"? Sea Level is the height of land measured from the surface of the ocean. The Zero-Meter Zone (zero meters above sea level) is a zone where the land is at the same level as the surface of the sea, or lower than the surface of the sea. When it rains a lot, such as during a typhoon, rivers can overflow with large amounts of water. In the zero-meter zone, river water might flow over the roads and houses, causing damage. In Tokyo, the areas bordering the Arakawa River - the Sumida, Katsushika, Arakawa, Koto, and Edogawa wards - are said to be in the zero-meter zone. Check this out on the hazard map of your area. Some areas also post signs with "Above Sea Level" information. It's a good idea to know the elevation of the area you are in.

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