Kiyosumi-Shirakawa & Sushi Class in One Day

Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, on the east side of the Sumida River in Koto Ward, is a quiet neighbourhood with a lot packed into a few streets. There is a landscaped stroll garden built around a pond and famous stones, a museum that recreates an Edo-period riverside town at full scale, a large contemporary art museum and a cluster of independent coffee roasters and cafés.

It is also only about 15–20 minutes from Asakusa by train, which makes it a natural half-day partner for our sushi class. This guide covers the routes, what to see, opening times and three plans that fit into one day.

Getting from Asakusa to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station is served by two subway lines: the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and the Toei Oedo Line. From Asakusa, there are two simple routes:

• Via Kuramae: take the Toei Asakusa Line one stop to Kuramae, walk a short distance at street level to the Oedo Line's Kuramae Station, and ride the Oedo Line to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. This is often a convenient option.
• Via Oshiage: take the Toei Asakusa Line to Oshiage and change to the Hanzomon Line towards Shibuya for Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. There is no street-level walk, and Oshiage is also the station for Tokyo Skytree.

The route planner Ekitan shows both options at roughly 15–20 minutes of travel. From our studio next to Tobu Asakusa Station, allow about 30 minutes door to door, and check a route planner on the day.

What to see in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

The main sights are within a few minutes' walk of the station, so you can see a good selection in two to three hours.

• Kiyosumi Gardens (Kiyosumi Teien): a classic stroll garden around a large pond, with stepping stones across the water, a lakeside teahouse-style pavilion and rare stones gathered from around Japan. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, it is open 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30), and closed from December 29 to January 1. Admission is ¥150 for adults and ¥70 for those aged 65 and over; primary school children and younger enter free. It is about a 3-minute walk from the station. Autumn colours make late November and early December a lovely time to visit.
• Fukagawa Edo Museum: an indoor, life-size reconstruction of a late Edo-period riverside neighbourhood, with houses, shops and a boathouse you can walk through. Koto City lists the exhibition hall as open 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed on the second and fourth Mondays of the month (open if that day is a public holiday), with adult admission of ¥400. It is a 3-minute walk from Exit A3. It is a good rain plan, and a nice visual companion to the history of Tokyo food. Check the museum's current notices before visiting: the permanent exhibition is also closed on December 21, 2026 for installation work.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT): a large museum inside Kiba Park. Its visitor guide lists 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays (the next weekday if Monday is a holiday), between exhibitions and over the New Year. It is about a 9-minute walk from Exit B2 on the Hanzomon Line, and exhibitions charge separately.
• Coffee and cafés: the area is known for independent roasters and small cafés set in converted warehouses and old buildings. Opening days vary, so check the café you have in mind.
• Fukagawa-meshi: the local dish of clams with rice, sometimes served in a broth over rice and sometimes cooked into the rice, is offered by several restaurants around the gardens and museum.

Plan 1: Morning class, then Kiyosumi-Shirakawa in the afternoon

This is the easiest plan for one day. Start at the studio with no train to catch first, and the sushi you make serves as lunch.

On some of the dates we checked, our signature sushi and matcha class had a 10:00 session, but start times vary by date. The class lasts about 90 minutes, so you can be in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa by early afternoon. Walk the gardens first (enter by 16:30), then the Edo museum (also last entry 16:30), and finish with coffee nearby. Because you will already have eaten a full sushi meal, save fukagawa-meshi for another day or share one portion.

Plan 2: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa in the morning, class in the afternoon or evening

The gardens open at 9:00, and the paths are calm early in the day. Start with the garden and a coffee, then return to Asakusa and join a later session. On the dates we checked in November, start times included 12:00, 16:00 and 18:00, although the times on offer vary by date. Check the booking calendar for your day.

If you choose this plan:

• Leave a margin. Aim to arrive at the studio 10 minutes before the start. Allow extra time if you use the street-level change at Kuramae.
• Keep lunch light. The class includes a full sushi meal. Our guide to planning meals around the class explains how to pace your eating.
• Know the cancellation terms. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the class. After that, and for no-shows, the full price is charged. If a delay will make you late, contact us as soon as you can. See our guide to cancelling or rescheduling.

Plan 3: Add another neighbourhood on the way

Because the Oedo Line route passes through Kuramae and Ryogoku, you can easily add a stop. Kuramae has small craft shops and cafés close to Asakusa, and Ryogoku is the home of sumo. If you take the Hanzomon Line via Oshiage instead, Tokyo Skytree is right above the station. Choose one extra stop, not all three, so the day stays relaxed.

Practical tips

• Bring an IC card. It makes the change between lines quicker, and most cafés and museums accept cards, though some small shops may prefer cash.
• Check closing days. The Edo museum closes on the second and fourth Mondays and MOT on Mondays, so Monday is not the best day for this trip.
• Watch the weather. The gardens are outdoors. On a rainy day, choose the Edo museum and a café instead.

Choosing your plan

• One day, prefer certainty: a morning class, then an afternoon in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
• One day, early riser: the gardens in the morning, then a later session with a margin.
• More energy: add Kuramae, Ryogoku or Skytree on the same line.

Once you have chosen your day, check the sessions and book the sushi and matcha class at a time that fits around your visit to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.