The Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace (Kokyo), located on the former site of Edo Castle in central Tokyo, is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Originally the fortress of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. Its transformation into the Imperial Palace during the Meiji period was a powerful symbol of the transfer of power from the shogun back to the Emperor. While fires and wartime damage destroyed many original structures, the moats, massive stone walls, and imposing guardhouses continue to define its historic character.
While the main palace building is private, visitors can explore two distinct historical areas. The first is the expansive Imperial Palace Outer Garden (Kokyo Gaien), which serves as a grand public approach. From here, you can see the iconic “Double Bridge”, the formidable Sakurada-mon Gate, and a heroic bronze statue of Kusunoki Masashige, a samurai from the 14th century. On the other hand is the Imperial Palace East Garden, which occupies the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defense. Here, visitors can walk through the imposing Ote-mon gate, stand upon the massive stone foundations of the former castle keep, and find tranquility in the beautifully preserved Ninomaru Garden.
Today, the palace serves as the venue for state ceremonies and official duties. While access to the inner grounds is restricted, visitors can freely explore the expansive Imperial Palace East Garden. This 210,000-square-meter park, opened to the public in 1968.