Landmark & Tower · Akabane / Shimo
Old Iwabuchi Watergate 旧岩淵水門（赤水門）
Red 1924 sluice gate on the Arakawa River, built under engineer Aoyama Akira who had worked on the Panama Canal, now a riverside landmark.
HoursOpen access
ClosedNone
PriceFree
Getting thereAkabane-iwabuchi Station (Namboku Line), about 15 min
Time needed30-45 min
Best timeLate afternoon for the red gate against the sunset
Address5-41 Shimo, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0042
About
The Old Iwabuchi Watergate was built over eight years from 1916 to control floods on the Arakawa River, under the supervision of Aoyama Akira, who had worked on building the Panama Canal. Painted red in the 1950s-60s, it became known as the Aka-suimon (red sluice). Retired from service, it is a Tokyo-selected historic structure and can be crossed on foot to a small green space on the river island.
Highlights
- Bright red Taisho-era sluice gate
- Walkable bridge alongside the gate
- Wide views of the Arakawa riverbanks
- Small riverside green with sculpture
Tips
- Combine with Akabane's izakaya streets
- The blue modern Iwabuchi gate stands just downstream
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10
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