Originally Posted by 5khours

Did that about 35 years ago after reading Paul Waley's "Tokyo Now and Then" and had a romanticized image of stately Japan houses with gardens abutting the river. Got industrial grey/drab and sewage pipes draining into the river instead. Biggest bummer I ever had in Japan.

I suspect it's much better now with the many riverside redevelopments.... especially if you approach it with the right expectations.