Name: The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan
Telephone: 03-3213-2050
Rating: 4.4

Large landscaped gardens in the grounds of a palace first built in 1888, with some Edo castle ruins.

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The East Garden occupies the site of the former Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867.

Former Castle Site

Admission to the East Garden is free, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Admission Cost

While the castle once had a magnificent keep (main tower), it was destroyed by fire in 1657 and never rebuilt. The foundation remains as a viewing platform.

Missing Castle Tower

You can still see the guardhouses that date back to the 1600s.

Guardhouses

The Ninomaru Garden, located within the East Garden, was once the administrative area of Edo Castle.

Administrative Area

The East Garden also houses the Museum of the Imperial Collections, showcasing art and historical artifacts owned by the Imperial Family.

Imperial Collection

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The East Gardens, a public park on the former site of Edo Castle's innermost defenses, offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past. Unlike many Japanese gardens emphasizing natural landscapes, the East Gardens showcase the castle's structural remnants. Visitors can explore the foundations of the main keep, a colossal structure destroyed by fire in the 17th century, now marked by a vast lawn offering panoramic city views. The meticulously reconstructed Edo Castle guardhouses, like the Doshin-banshō, provide tangible connections to the samurai era. Within the Ninomaru Garden, a classical Japanese landscape, lies a surprising feature: a small plum grove cultivated from trees presented by various prefectures, each bearing unique blossoms. The Suwa no Chaya teahouse, relocated from elsewhere within the palace grounds, offers a serene space for contemplation, though not always accessible. The Museum of the Imperial Collections, situated within the gardens, displays rotating exhibitions of art and historical artifacts owned by the Imperial Family, offering a rare peek into their private holdings.

Introduction

Within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace lies the Ninomaru area, a space that once formed the secondary circle of defense for Edo Castle. Today, it distinguishes itself with a Japanese-style garden, revitalized in 1968, showcasing trees representing each of Japan's prefectures. This garden offers a journey through the nation's botanical diversity, set against the backdrop of Tokyo's urban landscape.

The Ninomaru area features Bairin-zaka slope, the Ninomaru grove, and an iris garden, each contributing to the garden's seasonal beauty. Notably, the Ninomaru garden is especially vibrant in the fall, when the grove transforms into a display of gold and scarlet hues. The pond within the Ninomaru garden creates a tranquil environment.

The East Gardens, including Ninomaru, are accessible via the Otemon gate, a short walk from Otemachi Station. This gate once served as the main entrance to Edo Castle, used by feudal lords during the Tokugawa shogunate. The Ninomaru area provides a serene escape, contrasting with the nearby Honmaru area, where the main castle tower once stood.

Ninomaru Garden

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, situated in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, occupy a historically significant portion of the Imperial Palace grounds, formerly the site of Edo Castle's innermost defenses. This area, encompassing the honmaru and ninomaru, transitioned from the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867, to a residence for Emperor Meiji in 1868. Emperor Meiji resided here until 1888 before the completion of the new Imperial Palace.

While the main buildings of Edo Castle no longer stand, the moats, walls, entrance gates, and guardhouses remain as testaments to its past. The castle tower, once the tallest in Japan after its completion in 1638, was destroyed in the 1657 Meireki fire and never rebuilt, leaving only its foundation on the hill. The East Gardens now feature a Japanese-style garden in the ninomaru area, replacing the castle's former palace buildings.

The Imperial Palace became the primary residence of successive Emperors starting in 1868, marking a significant shift in power and governance. Within the larger palace grounds, the East Gardens offer a glimpse into the historical transition from shogunate rule to the Meiji Restoration and the establishment of the Imperial Family's permanent home in Tokyo. The East Gardens are open to the public, providing access to explore sites of historical interest related to the former Edo Castle.

Imperial Residence History

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, situated in Tokyo's Chiyoda district, occupy a historically significant site, formerly the location of Edo Castle's innermost defenses. Originally constructed under the Tokugawa shogunate, the area served primarily as a palace, particularly for the shogun's heir, rather than a garden in the modern sense. The gardens incorporate elements of the Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru, representing the inner, second, and third circles of defense, respectively.

Edo Castle, which once stood here, played a crucial role in the alternating attendance system, with the Ōte-mon Gate serving as the main entrance for feudal lords. The castle's main tower, completed in 1638, was the tallest in Japan but was destroyed in 1657 and never rebuilt, leaving only its foundation. The Honmaru area, the most luxurious part of the palace and the shogun's residence, was destroyed twice by fire in 1657 and 1863. It included the Ōoku, the women's quarters, surrounded by curtain walls, keeps, defense houses, and gates.

The modern gardens were initiated in 1961 and completed in 1968, opening to the public that year. While most structures from the Edo period have disappeared, some remnants, such as the Fujimi-yagura keep and Fujimi-tamon defense house, still exist. The Ninomaru area now features a Japanese-style garden, replacing the former palace buildings. The design incorporates trees representing all the prefectures of Japan.

Historical Construction and Design

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo stand on the former grounds of Edo Castle, once the seat of power for the Tokugawa shoguns from 1603 to 1867. This colossal castle complex was the center of political and military authority for over two centuries. Although the grand structures of Edo Castle are gone, the East Gardens retain remnants of the past, offering a glimpse into the castle's legacy. Visitors can still see original moats, walls, and guardhouses that preserve the legacy of the Tokugawa shoguns.

In 1868, the Meiji Restoration marked a turning point in Japanese history, leading to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the establishment of a new imperial government. Emperor Meiji chose Edo Castle as his residence, renaming it the Imperial Palace. Fires and earthquakes led to the demolition of most Edo Castle structures. In 1960, a renovation project led to the construction of a new Imperial Palace on the western portion of the grounds, paving the way for the transformation of the eastern section into the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which opened to the public in 1968.

The East Gardens offer a unique perspective on Japan's journey from feudal rule to the modern imperial era. Nearby landmarks like the Marunouchi district, Tokyo Station, Nippon Budokan, Science Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Modern Art and MOMAT Crafts Gallery are all located on what were once the outer areas of Edo Castle.

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Did You Know?

Former Castle Site

Admission Cost

Missing Castle Tower

Guardhouses

Highlights from Reviews

Location