Book Cover : Blue Hour Eitaibashi Bridge 

Back in Oct 26, 2011, my photograph of 永代橋 (Eitaibashi) lit up the cover of Groups, Homotopy and Configuration Spaces, published by the Mathematical Sciences Publishers. It was surreal to see an everyday Tokyo scene I captured—bridges, light, and skyline—become the face of an international mathematics monograph. A reminder that even in the most abstract worlds of topology and geometry, there’s room for a bit of Tokyo nightscape to shine through.

Groups, Homotopy and Configuration Spaces (Tokyo 2005)

If you're walking along the Sumida River near Koto City, you'll probably come across Eitaibashi Bridge. It's not the most famous bridge in Tokyo, but it offers one of the best, and most underrated, free views of the Tokyo Skytree. It’s a great spot to see how old and new Tokyo exist side-by-side.

A Bridge with an Unlucky Start

Eitaibashi has a history that's more interesting than the bridge looks. Its name means "Bridge of Eternal Stand," which is pretty ironic given its start. It was first built in 1698 because people were tired of taking risky ferry rides across the river. Unfortunately, just a year after it opened, a huge crowd on the bridge during a festival panicked, leading to a deadly stampede. After that, the bridge was considered unlucky and its name was quickly changed to "Fudaibashi" ("Bridge of Great Cost") to try and change its fate. The original wooden bridge and its replacements were repeatedly destroyed by fires common in old Edo (Tokyo).

The blue bridge in the snap today, you see is the modern version, built from steel in 1926 after the Great Kanto Earthquake. This one was made to last, finally living up to its original "eternal" name.

What to Expect at Eitaibashi Today

Don't expect a glamorous, tourist-packed spot. Eitaibashi is a local's bridge. It's used by cars, delivery trucks, cyclists, and people just going about their day. The sidewalks are wide and practical, making it a pleasant place for a stroll.

The main reason for a visitor to come here is the view. From the middle of the bridge, you get a perfectly framed, unobstructed view of the Tokyo Skytree rising directly north over the river. It's a fantastic photo opportunity, especially in the late afternoon when the light is good. You'll see the river traffic, some old warehouses, and a slice of everyday Tokyo life that feels a world away from the busy city centers.

How the Skytree Changed the View

Before the Skytree was built in 2012, the view from Eitaibashi was mostly of low-rise buildings and open sky. The Skytree completely transformed this. Now, the horizontal, industrial-looking steel bridge is set against the sleek, incredible height of the tower.

This combination is what makes the spot unique. You're not just looking at a modern marvel; you're seeing it from a piece of Tokyo's working history. The Skytree gives the old bridge a new sense of scale and makes for a memorable picture that captures two very different eras of Tokyo.

In short: If you have time after visiting the Skytree or Asakusa, take a 15-20 minute walk to Eitaibashi. It's a quick, easy, and free stop that offers a great perspective and a cool photo you won't get anywhere else.