Illumination of Sumida River Bridge on the Tobu Skytree Line

• Japan
• Public Spaces
• Civil engineering

Vibrant and colorful bridges linking the city. The unique light collaboration turns Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE^® into a picture-perfect scene in an instant.

The Sumida River Bridge joins Asakusa Station and Tokyo Skytree Station over the Sumida River on the Tobu Skytree Line. This is a historical railroad bridge that first began operation in 1931. Its structure as a half-through bridge, unusual for Japan, is for the sake of viewing the scenery from the train windows. The combination of its history and rarity makes it one of the most famous bridges in Japan.

Since April 2018 the Sumida River Bridge has been illuminated with the aim of enhancing the liveliness and accessibility of the Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE area. The daily illumination works in collaboration with the lighting of TOKYO SKYTREE, arranged to color the image of the lighting for "Iki" (spirit of Edo), "Miyabi" (aesthetics) and "Nobori" (liveliness). The illumination display is also adapted for local events over the four seasons, such as the Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival in spring. The lighting design seeks to beautify, and highlight the presence of the railroad bridge in harmony with the 12 other bridges crossing the Sumida River. The illumination display is viewable from various locations, including the observation deck of TOKYO SKYTREE as well as from Sumida Park and cruise boats that travel on the Sumida River

The Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE area aims to be a sightseeing location combining tradition, culture, and progress. The illumination symbolizing this townscape will be a bridge to the next generation.