The Japan News: Is Tokyo's Azumabashi Bridge Too Red?

Above, the Azumabashi Bridge with the Skytree and Asahi
Beer Hall in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Azumabashi Bridge that connects Asakusa in the Taito Ward of Tokyo to the Sumida Ward across the Sumida River (the Asahi Beer Hall and Skytree are in the Sumida Ward) is to be re-painted soon. But a debate is brewing on what color should it be. Currently, it is red and some say it is too red.

According to an article in The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

Is the bridge too red? Color and architecture experts are debating whether the 132-meter Azumabashi bridge in Tokyo’s Asakusa district—across the Sumidagawa river near Sensoji temple in Taito Ward—has too bright of a red hue. 

The bridge is located about 100 meters east of the famed Sensoji temple and will be repainted soon. As the color deviates from a standard set by the local government, some people insist the bridge should be painted in a different color. A symposium to contemplate the bridge’s color has been held, and the issue may develop into a landscaping debate involving local residents and various other parties. 

The original Azumabashi bridge was built in the Edo period (1603-1867), but burned down in the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. In 1931, the Tokyo city government built the current bridge with its triple arches.

Above, this photo was taken on the Azumabashi Bridge looking towards Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I like the red color. It is a nice contrast to the drab grey of the surrounding structures.

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