cruising by the river sumida : July 9 2025

July 2025 · 5 min read · Adachi

this photo with the moon, the tower and the light reflections on the river gave me chills. i was bummed at first that i couldn't get a finer and smoother picture; i had to zoom and it was dark which resulted to a grainy picture. but i loved it even more because of the grainy look. it looked like a newspaper clipping, so nostalgic. i could not even remember the last time i held a newspaper.

otake bridge leg

i tried lowering the shutter speed and played with the white balance, too. here were the results of those. they were also good but i could not get rid of the shake. i could not get a steady solid anchor and even the slightest of motions resulted in a semi blurry photo. but wouldn't this pass as having a "gen z" filter? i mean, isn't blurry the new thing that gen zs posts in their social media? blurry is the new "it" it seems.

this area near the otake bridge provided this very scenic spot. i guess this is the start of a very interesting nightwalk.

and if you are wondering, yes it was dark. there were no artificial lights on this route, i was guided by the full moon above me. it was enough for me to know which bricks were "safe" to step on. it was a well bricked path so that moon shine was enough. this was how our ancestors were before light was invented, the moon and the stars were their source of light. well i guess they brought torches, too.

across the arakawa hospital

i passed by the usual point where i would usually turn and get off the banks, but i decided to push further this time. i was happy with the thought that i would be travelling beside this water until i reach a point where my legs couldn't make it: it was a make it till failure thinking. but then i reached this blockade. i was crestfallen, my initial plans shattered in front of me. that part ahead was surely paved, so i really have no clue why they blocked this portion.

i climbed up the stairs and had to walk inland, staying close to the banks. it was the eeriest of places, with no people in sight: all houses and some construction factories. my mind was playing tricks on me, i got paranoid for a bit. it wasn't dark don't get me wrong, but it was deserted. finally passed by an old man, but that did not help at all. i got scared of him instead, i'm sure he meat no harm. i guess it is always like this when you unlock a new area in your quest, the fear of the unknown is real.

senju ohashi bridge leg

i had no clue why that section was closed off but i finally reached an area where the banks were accessible again. it was a good 10 minute walk inland before reaching this sight, i was finally across the area with lots of sakura trees i featured as an entry in the past. so that was how the apartment complex looked like from afar. those were really bright, no wonder lights were not necessary on my path.

and that bridge looked even better. it was a bit dark though, the actual bridge was the one in the middle, this facing part was a frame for some huge pipe running over the river. and the clouds were pretty fast moving that night, different formations in just a few seconds apart. the moon was blocked sadly.

senju okawabata park leg

i finally reached an area were it was really meant for relaxation and sight seeing. there were benches and even a water fountain. there were also people in here! it is so nice to be back in civilization. that also meant that a public toilet was available, i was keeping those waters in for quite some time now. this area was really meant for people to enjoy, and so i rested a bit. this area was directly across the shioiri park which had a long stretch sakura trees, so it must also be a great view from across.

i proceeded further until i reached a sharp end. there was a body of water which prevented me from crossing, this water was a conduit of sorts between with the nearby arakawa river up north. and boat builders used a bit of the space before that portion. the river banks path ended abruptly. i could still cross this part over some bridge but my legs were also about to give up. i guess the next part is for another day.

i ended up crossing the bridge toward shioiri park and headed home. that park was quite isolated, but i met a couple of joggers in there. i was even surprised to see a shirtless jogger, a rare scene in japan. at this point, i was pretty much complaining to @wittyzell and @revlat35 via messenger. it took another 40 minutes before reaching home.

this journey was something i would like to do again, but i should think it over on where to pass specially on that part where it goes inland. i really hated that eerie part. i mean i could try the same path just to see if it feels better the second time.

anyways, that is all for today.
this nightwalker felt satisfied!
as always, AMPING KANUNAY!