Shinagawa Hana-Kaido

A rare sight on the concrete-dominated Tokyo coastline, this breakwater levee turned miniature flower farm along the Katsushima Canal is a nice spot for sitting down and gazing at the fishing boats making their way out to sea. When you’re done with the quay, head inland to find the old Tokaido road, now a decidedly unspectacular thoroughfare lined with small shops and eateries, plus a few noteworthy sights: make sure to visit Hamakawa Bridge, better known as Namidabashi (‘bridge of tears’), the place where convicts about to be executed at the nearby Suzugamori execution grounds bid final farewells to their families, and Tenso Suwa Shrine, which is supposed to be a great place to pray for happiness.