Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Kōtō (江東区) in Tokyo Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market, teamLab Planets, Kameido Tenjin Shrine and served by Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) via the regional hub at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Set at 11 m elevation (35.6667°N, 139.8167°E), Kōtō offers travelers a base for sampling regional Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima) cuisine and exploring neighboring Sumida (墨田区) (3.7 km), Chūō (中央区) (4.5 km), Minato (港区) (6 km), Taitō (台東区) (6.1 km).
It is known as Kōtō City in English. Kōtō is east of the Tokyo metropolitan center, bounded by the Sumida River to the west and the Arakawa River to the east. Kōtō is on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay, sandwiched between the wards of Chūō and Edogawa. To the north, its inland boundary is with the Sumida special ward. The western part of the ward was formerly part of Fukagawa Ward of Tokyo City. Within Tokyo Prefecture, Kōtō (江東区) serves as a special ward of tokyo in Tokyo Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1947-03-13) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).
| Quick Fact | 2026/2027 Travel Reference for Kōtō (江東区) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 江東区 (Kōtō) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market · teamLab Planets · Kameido Tenjin Shrine · Tomioka Hachiman Shrine · Fukagawa Edo Museum |
| Nearest Rail Station | Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) |
| Primary Regional Hub | Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) (Capital: Tokyo (Shinjuku)) |
| Prefecture & Region | Tokyo Prefecture · Kanto |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 11 m · 35.6667°N, 139.8167°E |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| IC Card & Rail Coverage | Suica / PASMO / ICOCA via Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) · Shinkansen fares → |
| Local Food Specialties | Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), Tempura & tonkatsu, Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets |
| Administrative Status | Special ward of Tokyo in Tokyo Prefecture (Incorporated: 1947-03-13) |
| Area & Population | 39.80 km² (10,963/km²) · 436,337 residents |
What to See & Do in Kōtō (江東区): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Kōtō (江東区) from Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) at 11 m elevation (35.6667°N, 139.8167°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kōtō):
- Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market — local sightseeing landmark near Kōtō (江東区).
- teamLab Planets — local sightseeing landmark near Kōtō (江東区).
- Kameido Tenjin Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Kōtō (江東区).
- Tomioka Hachiman Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Kōtō (江東区).
- Fukagawa Edo Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Kōtō (江東区).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Kōtō: Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) (connecting to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kōtō
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kōtō (江東区) and Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto:
- Sumida (墨田区) — 3.7 km from Kōtō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Chūō (中央区) — 4.5 km from Kōtō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Minato (港区) — 6 km from Kōtō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Taitō (台東区) — 6.1 km from Kōtō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Chiyoda (千代田区) — 6.5 km from Kōtō (Tokyo Prefecture)
Getting to Kōtō & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Kōtō (江東区) via Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km): Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) to reach central Kōtō (35.6667°N, 139.8167°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tokyo (Shinjuku) with Kōtō (江東区) and neighboring Sumida, Chūō, Minato. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kōtō, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kōtō and continuing toward Sumida can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Kōtō: While Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) anchors public transit for Kōtō, picking up a rental car at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) makes it easy to link Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market and teamLab Planets with nearby Sumida (墨田区) (3.7 km), Chūō (中央区) (4.5 km), Minato (港区) (6 km), Taitō (台東区) (6.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Kōtō (江東区) & Tokyo
Dining near Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) and across Kōtō (江東区) highlights the regional food culture of Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kōtō:
- Local specialty & terroir of Kōtō (江東区): regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
- Edomae nigiri sushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōtō (江東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōtō (江東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Monjayaki (Tsukishima) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōtō (江東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Tempura & tonkatsu — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōtō (江東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōtō (江東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
If you are dining in Kōtō (江東区) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km).
Where to Stay in Kōtō (江東区)
Visitors staying overnight in Kōtō (江東区) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tokyo (Shinjuku) (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)) or neighboring Sumida, Chūō, Minato for quick train access into Kōtō. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Kōtō & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Kōtō (江東区, 11 m elevation at 35.6667°N, 139.8167°E): Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out.
Wider sightseeing across Tokyo Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market in Kōtō (江東区) includes: 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).
Practical Travel Tips for Kōtō (江東区)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kōtō: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) or Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) for local bus schedules to Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market and walking maps of Kōtō (江東区).
- Cash & ATMs in Kōtō: Convenience stores and major hotels around Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kōtō accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Kōtō: Around Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) and neighboring Sumida, Chūō, Minato, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Kōtō (江東区)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Kōtō (江東区) in Tokyo Prefecture include Toyosu Market, the world's largest wholesale fish market, teamLab Planets, Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, Fukagawa Edo Museum. Visitors often combine sightseeing in Kōtō with side trips to neighboring Sumida (墨田区) (3.7 km), Chūō (中央区) (4.5 km), Minato (港区) (6 km), Taitō (台東区) (6.1 km).
How do I get to Kōtō (江東区) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Kōtō (江東区) is Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km), connected via the regional hub of Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND).
What local food should I eat in Kōtō and Tokyo Prefecture?
When dining around Tōyōchō Station (東陽町駅) (0.3 km) in Kōtō (江東区), look for Tokyo Prefecture specialties including Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), plus Tempura & tonkatsu and Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Kōtō (江東区)?
Situated at 11 m elevation (35.6667°N, 139.8167°E) in Kanto, Kōtō follows Tokyo's seasonal calendar: Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out. Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: