In the Koto Ward of Tokyo, canals crisscross the area. Among them, the Oyokogawa and Sendaihorikawa canals are lined with cherry blossoms of the Somei Yoshino variety on both banks. We launched our kayaks and enjoyed viewing the cherry blossoms from the water.
This time, not only did we enjoy the cherry blossoms, but we also discovered a pair of stingrays. Even as our kayaks approached, the stingrays didn't seem to mind at all and continued to swim gracefully overlapped with each other, allowing us to observe them swimming right in front of our noses. It was the first time I had observed stingrays up close.
Additionally, because we set out kayaking during high tide, the water level had risen close to the bridge girders, making the already low Shigemori Bridge seem like it was about to submerge under the water. Passing under the bridge in a kayak was just possible, but it would have been impossible for a boat.
Furthermore, we extended our trip to the Sumida River, crossing it amid the tour boats and taking a look at the Nihonbashi River on the opposite shore.
I’ve successfully completed what someone might call Herculean challenge: taking 5-minute cold showers for roughly 300 straight days, all the way until mid-February. And I’m not stopping there. I highly suggest you give it a try too — it might be your express elevator to heaven — or at least, I believe it can help train your prefrontal cortex.
① 運河沿いに咲き誇る桜。頭上の河岸から川面に向かって水を求めるように垂れ下がる桜の枝を潜り抜け、水面に浮かぶ桜の花びらをかき分けながらカヤックを漕ぎます。これまでの花見では味わうことのなかった、幻想的な桜のトンネルを堪能できるでしょう。
② 東京都心にこんな場所があるとは、ご存じでしたか?都民にすらほとんど知られていない都心の秘境です。江戸時代に物流の要として開削されたこの運河は、江戸の面影を残す歴史的な風景と、見上げる大都会の摩訶不思議なコントラストを見せてくれます。かつて東京湾に広がっていた広大な湿地から、大都市江戸へ、そして現代の世界有数の都市へと、生き物のように変貌を続けている東京の隠された側面を見ることができます。
③ 江東区はオランダを思わせるような海抜ゼロメートル以下の地域です。このため、荒川・隅田川に繋がる運河と江東区内の運河間で水位調整と船舶の航行を可能にする二つの閘門が設けられています。これらは「ミニ・パナマ運河」とも称される大規模な構造物です。驚くべきことに、これらの閘門はカヤックで通過することが可能です。その際の迫力は、まさに圧巻の一言に尽きます。