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With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

As spring arrives, Ryogoku Bridge, which spans the Sumida River, has begun to show off a new look. After a long period of construction to install aesthetic lighting, the work was finally completed in March of this year. At last, the bridge is now illuminated. While many other bridges over the Sumida River had already been lit up, Ryogoku Bridge remained dark, which felt somewhat lonely—but now it has joined the illuminated group. In this month’s blog, I’d like to introduce the newly lit-up Ryogoku Bridge.

About Ryogoku Bridge

Ryogoku Bridge connects Chuo Ward and Sumida Ward in Tokyo. During the Edo period, only five bridges were built over the Sumida River, in the following order: Senju Ohashi, Ryogoku Bridge, Shin Ohashi, Eitai Bridge, and Azuma Bridge. This makes Ryogoku Bridge one of the most historically significant crossings. It was named “Ryogoku,” meaning “two provinces,” because it linked Musashi Province and Shimousa Province—modern-day Tokyo and Chiba, respectively. Today, National Route 14 (Keiyo Road), which connects Tokyo and Chiba, runs across the bridge, so it still serves a similar role in modern times. The current steel bridge was completed in 1932, with a length of 164.5 meters and a width of 24.0 meters. In the Edo period, the west end of the bridge featured an open square called Ryogoku Hirokoji, which was a lively gathering place for many people.

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

The west end of Ryogoku Bridge

About the Bridge Lighting

The Ryogoku Bridge illumination was implemented alongside an LED upgrade for the road lighting and designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment. The lighting officially began on March 28, 2025, and operates from 15 minutes after sunset until 11:00 PM each night. The lighting color is a soft red—more subdued compared to the vivid red of Azuma Bridge in Asakusa.

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

The view of Ryogoku Bridge from the east bank

 

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

The view of Ryogoku Bridge from the west bank, near Yanagi Bridge

Other Bridges Nearby

If you’re visiting Ryogoku Bridge, take a moment to explore the other illuminated bridges nearby. Kuramae Bridge, one bridge upstream, glows yellow; Yanagi Bridge, spanning the nearby Kanda River, shines green; and Shin Ohashi, one bridge downstream, is lit in orange. Each has its own character and charm.

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

Kuramae Bridge

 

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

Yanagi Bridge

 

With the Arrival of Spring, Ryogoku Bridge Lights Up

Shin Ohashi

In Conclusion

With Ryogoku Bridge now illuminated, there are 13 lit-up bridges along the Sumida River: Shirahige Bridge, Azuma Bridge, Komagata Bridge, Umaya Bridge, Kuramae Bridge, Ryogoku Bridge, Shin Ohashi, Kiyosu Bridge, Eitai Bridge, Chuo Ohashi, Tsukuda Bridge, Kachidoki Bridge, and Tsukiji Ohashi. Each bridge features unique designs and colors, contributing to the scenic beauty of the Sumida River. The soft, elegant lighting of Ryogoku Bridge adds to the nighttime atmosphere and has become a new attraction. Be sure to visit on a spring evening—the view where history and modern light intertwine is sure to leave a lasting impression.