Kachidoki Bridge
Kachidoki Bridge on the Sumida River is amazing. It is also the last or one of the last drawbridges in Tokyo. There is much history to it. I love photographing it when it lights up at night. Long exposures make it so beautiful!
I need to get reacquainted with the bridge. My last photos of it were pre-pandemic. Yakatabune made their way up and down the river. They seem fewer in number now. I’ll stay longer next time to get more of them.
Why photograph Kachidoki Bridge?
- The bridge is beautiful when it lights up at night
- Yakatabune (dinner boats) are great for light trails
- It’s possible to capture Tokyo Tower in the background.
Notes on camera positions
They are numbered 1, 2, and 3 on the map.
- This position is on a bank close to the bridge. You can get the Yakatabune as they pass under the bridge
- From this spot, you can see Tokyo Tower in the background.
- This looks down the river, so you can capture the long light trails of the Yakatabune.
Use of multiple images
Yes, I took seven and merged them in Photoshop.
Notes on processing:
I made basic edits in Lightroom, then used Photoshop to stack the photos into one. After that, I transferred it back to make more minor changes.
Where is Kachidoki Bridge?
It is on the Sumida River, near Hama Rikyu Garden.
The address for map applications is: Tsukiji 6 Chome, Chuo City, Tokyo (this will put you next to the bridge, not on it)
Here it is on Google maps:
The nearest subway stations are:
- Kachidoki – Oedo Line
- Tsukiji – Hibiya Line
- Tsukikishijo – Oedo Line
- Tsukishima – Oedo and Yurakucho Lines
Notes on lenses
I used the Fujifilm 10-24 mm and the Fujifilm 16-55 mm. They performed well. But, when photographing Tokyo Tower behind Kachidoki Bridge, I was wishing I had taken my 55-200 mm too!
Area notes
- You shoot next to or over the Sumida River. Don’t drop anything unless you want to go swimming!
- There is a fenced area on the west bank. I’m unsure when it’ll be gone. It’s difficult to place a camera near the bridge.
- It no longer functions as a drawbridge. The spans haven’t been raised since the 1970s.
Conclusion
I need to go to Kachidoki Bridge again. Next time, I want to get my camera closer to the bridge instead of the construction pushing it away. There is another reason.
A composite photo would look stunning here. I will arrive around sunset to get properly exposed photos of the surrounding buildings. Then, take long exposures of the yakatabune later after dark. That is my plan for a future article. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External Kachidoki Bridge photography articles:
- Kachidoki Bridge in Tokyo by Anshar Photography