Eastern Tokyo is an area containing Taitou(台東区), Sumida(墨田区), Edogawa(江戸川区), Koto(江東区), Arakawa(荒川区), and Katsushika(葛飾区). This area is known for it's rich Japanese cultural essence. This area is also known as "Shitamachi," which is the area in the past being populated by common people. This area was not very important area in terms of military, politics, or economy, but was the most important area in terms of culture. Some of the most famous Japanese historical sights are in the area: Asakusa, Ryogoku, Ueno, and Tsukiji.