IMPERIAL PALACE

The imperial palace and its gardens are located at the former site of Edo castle. This castle built in 1457 became the residence of the Tokugawa shogun from the end of the 16th century to 1868. At that time, it was the center of power. The fortifications remind its military character. Neither the castle nor the imperial palace built in 1888 have resisted to time. The former was destroyed by fire in 1873, and the latter was razed to the ground by bombing during the Second World War. The current building dates from 1968. Unless you go there on January 2 for the presentation of New Year's greetings or on February 23, the emperor's birthday, it is impossible to enter. A visit to the palace is possible by reservation through the agency of the imperial house.

The Eastern Garden (Kōkyo Higashi-gyōen) is open to the public. Its entrance is at the Ote-mon Gate, which dates from 1620 and was rebuilt in 1967. This part was the heart of the Edo castle (Hon-maru) and the first circle of fortifications (Nino-maru). The keep and the shogun's residence were located in the Hon-maru. The remains of the keep are still visible there, as well as most of the moats that surrounded it. Not far from there, there is a viewpoint, the Fujimi-yagura. As the castle's keep was destroyed in 1657, the tower played an essential role as a symbol of power during the Edo period.

There is not much left of the Nino-maru buildings. The palace of the shogun's heirs and the garden designed by Kobori Enshū, a famous landscape designer of the Edo period, are now gone. Some guard posts from which samurai watched the entrances to the castle can still be seen.

Kokyogaien is an esplanade located in front of the palace. There is an equestrian statue of Masashige Kusunoki, who wanted to restore the power of Emperor Go Daigo in 1331.

Sakurada-mon Gate, in the southwest, is known in Japanese history for the assassination of Minister Ii Naosuke in 1860. This incident opened the door to nearly a decade of violence which led to the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Ishibashi Bridge provides access to the gate of the Nijūbashi (double-arch bridge), another bridge that can be photographed from the esplanade and was completed in 1888 according to a German plan. It is very popular with tourists. This bridge is now one of the major tourist places in Japan.

Kitanomaru Park, in the north, is known for its beautiful autumn foliage and spring boat rental to sail under the cherry blossoms.