Before the modern age of infrastructure, the city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) faced a monumental challenge: providing clean water & managing the waste of over one million people. Without a single metal pipe or modern sewer, Japan engineered a sophisticated system of gravity-fed aqueducts and turned human waste into a valuable commodity. This timeline shows key milestones in Edo/Tokyo’s history with waterways and sanitation.
1590
An Idea is Born
Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered his retainer Okubo Togoro to design a water supply system for prior to entering Edo. Togoro built an aqueduct from Koishikawa (Now Koshikawa, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo) flowing towards the Kanda river.
1649
The Kanda Aqueduct is Completed
The Kanda Aqueduct is completed. Using spring water from Inokashira pond, Zenpukuji Pond, and Myoshoji Pond as its Source. Southwestern parts of Edo use the Akasaka Reservoir as their primary water source.
April 4th, 1653
Construction Begins on Tamagawa Aqueduct
Construction Begins on the Tamagawa Aqueduct lead by peasant brothers Shoemon and Seimon. This 43km (26.7 mi) marvel was completed in merely 18 months.
June 1654
Stone & Wooden Pipes Laid Underground
Stone & Wooden pipes were laid underground at Toranomon, supplying water to Edo Castle, Yotsuya, Kojimachi, Daichi in Akasaka, Shiba, and southwestern parts of the city.
March 2nd, 1657
The Great Fire of Meireki
The Great Fire of Meireki/Great Furisode Fire destroyed 60-70% of Edo. There are an estimated 100,000 victims. The fire was said to have been accidentally started by a priest cremating an allegedly cursed kimono.
1868
Edo Becomes Tokyo
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Meiji goverment renames Edo (Bay Enterance) to Tokyo (Eastern Capital)
Permission Revoked to Sail Tamagawa
Boat service on the Tamagawa aqueduct is abolished after the deterioration of water quality
1877
Ancient Water System Tests Cleaner than London
Englishman R.W. Atkinson tests Tokyo’s water supply and determines that despite Tokyo still using Edo’s wooden pipe system it was significantly cleaner than London’s modern industrial technology at the time.
1948
Famous Author Commits Suicided in Tamagawa Aqueduct
Osamu Dazai, one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th century Japan and his mistress commit double suicide via drowning in Tamagawa Aqueduct.
December 1989
New Waterway Constructed
A new waterway was constructed, linking the Daitabashi area through the tamagawa aqueduct to the Yodobashi Water Purification Plant which would now supply purified water to the Kanda and Nihonbashi area.
1965
Musashi Canal Completed
Musashi Canal was completed & the water of the Tone River was diverted to Tokyo. The Yodobashi Water Purification Plant was abolished, and its functions were transferred to the Higashimurayama Water Purification Plant.