Fukagawa is located on the east bank of the Sumida river. This geographical characteristic helped Fukagawa to improve its trading industry. There are two main east-west canals, the Onagigawa and the Konakigawa. These canals run from the Sumida river in downtown Edo to the Ara river. Thus these canals were busy for both passenger traffic and trading goods. Regardless of where those passengers were headed, almost all of the people in this area travelled by boat, because Fukagawa was in the center of the network of canals that criss-cross the city. The landmark of Fukagawa attracted many visitors especially who were related to trading industry. This is why geisha culture has developed in Fukagawa.
The Tomioka Hachiman Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Fukagawa since it was located right in the center of Fukagawa. It was built around 1625, and is dedicated to the war god, Hachiman. Many visiteors to Tomioka Hachiman were samurai, the Fukagawa neighborhood is mainly hoem to blue-collar worders who work in various parts of Edo. Those neighborhoods of Edo can be divided into cho (towns). Each cho has its own local leaders and services such as Ban-nin (Town watch, or police) and Shobo-nin (firefighter).
Sanju-San Gendo (Thrity three alcove temple) separated Tomioka Hachiman shrine by a narrow drainage canal and a line of pine trees. Interestingly, in the garden of the Sanju-San Gendo, the samurai wore silk outifts and practiced archery.
Reference: http://www.us-japan.org/edomatsu/fukagawa/story.html
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