Minowabashi Station (Minowabashi Teiryūjō) is a tram stop located in Minamisenju 1-chome, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. It serves as the starting point of the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram), operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, with the station number SA01. The stop has been selected as one of the “100 Kanto Stations” for its nostalgic atmosphere and distinctive character as a streetcar terminus.
The station is situated just off National Route 4 (Nikkō Kaidō). To reach the platform from the main road, passengers must pass through a building. This building once belonged to the Ōji Electric Railway, and even today it is affectionately referred to by locals as the “Ōden Building.”
The history of Minowabashi Station dates back to 1911 (Meiji 44), when the Tokyo Railway established a stop called “Miwabashi” along the Nikkō Kaidō. Over time, with route changes and mergers, there was a period when two unconnected tram stops existed in the Minowa area. However, after part of the system was abolished in 1969, only the present-day Minowabashi stop remained. The station name originates from the “Minowabashi” bridge, which once crossed the local Shakujii irrigation channel (also known as Otonashi River) at its junction with the Nikkō Kaidō.
Today, Minowabashi Station retains its strong retro charm. As the starting point of the Toden Arakawa Line, it attracts railway enthusiasts and photographers alike. With flower beds, a retro-style shelter, and traditional decorations nearby, the station offers visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to the Tokyo streets of the Shōwa era.
