The Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace in Tokyo

The Palace is the residence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
It is formerly known as the Edo castle, which was built by the first Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543 - 1616).

It is an oasis in the center of the technopolis Tokyo.
Like those who often come to Tokyo seldom walk into the castle, I have never been inside the castle until January 21, 2018.
It was a cold but sunny Sunday morning....


I started my short trip from the Tokyo Station, which has just been renovated.

A new wide street straightly stretches to the Palace.

Walk along this street, you will find the castle (Palace).
Then, turn to the right along moat（堀） surrounding the castle, you will reach Otemon Gate（大手門）(↓). It is one of the entrances to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. It is FREE!

Castle's stone walls (↓)

Passing big stone walls and old trees, you will come up to Honmaru（本丸） of the castle.
Over 400 years ago, Honmaru was constructed as the core of the Edo castle, which included headquarters and residences for Shogun, his family, and lots of staffs.

Unique bamboo! （亀甲竹）
(The former Emperor loved bamboos.)
Here you come to Tenshudai（天守台）, the base for a main castle tower, which was first built in 1607.
The third and the last one built in 1638 was 58 meters high, the highest and largest castle main tower ever built in Japan. It burnt down in the great fire in 1657.

(Viewing from top of the base of the Tower)

寒桜（↓）：Winter-blooming cherry trees

Saying Sayonara to the Palace, I started to walk along the moats.
...I shared happy time with many active runners running around the Imperial Palace.


On the same day, I stopped by at 「ビートルズ展「Ladies and Gentlemen... THE BEATLES!」 」.
There were nostalgic stuff, guitars, bass, and costumes etc....

(Costume they put on at Shea Stadium in NY, 1965)

It is extremely cold in this winter.
They say that another or more cold wave may hit all regions of Japan.
Take care!
See you!