Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Emperor until 1869 when the capital of Japan was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration.

The capital was moved from Heijo-kyo (Nara) to Nagaoka-kyo in 784 and moved to Heian-kyo (Kyoto) in 794.

Current Kyoto Imperial Palace is surrounded by walls which make a 450 m x 250 m rectangle. It's in huge Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

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<The Nearest Bus Stop>

Karasuma - OImadegawa

<Admission>

Free of Charge         Closed on Mondays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 4

9:00 - 16:30 : Sep. and Mar.
9:00 - 16:00 : Oct. through Feb.
9:00 - 17:00 : Apr. through Aug.

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Hirakawamon Gate

Hirakawamon Gate is the back yard gate close to Ooku.
The wooden bridge still remains.

These gates and bridge is the original and these are the oldest ones made in 1457.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Kitahanebashimon Gate

Kita means North, Hanebashi means Drawbridge and Mon means Gate.
So, Kitahanebashimon means North Drawbridge Gate.

This gate was important because it's the closest to the main buildings.
And stone walls are the largest and the moats are the deepest.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Hommaru

Hommaru is the main building of the castle.
The castle tower was built in 1606 but burnt down in 1657 due to a big fire in Edo city. It has not been built again after that. Only stone wall base remains.

There used to be Hommaru building on the lawn area including Ooku which is Shogun's harem.

Original Fujimi Yagura burnt down but it's rebuilt in 1659 and still remains.
This is much smaller than castle tower, however, it helps to imagine how castle tower looks like.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Shiomizaka

Shiomizaka means hill to watch ocean tide.
We cannot see the ocean from here now.
Tokyo bay was much closer in Edo Era before land reclaimed from the sea.

It's a slope between Ninomaru Area and Hommaru Area.
Hommaru is the main area of the castle on the upper side.

There're huge stone walls and moats between these areas.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Ninomaru

Ninomaru is the lower area in East Park of Imperial Palace.
It has traditional Japanese garden with a pond.

There are many trees and flowers here.
A tea ceremony house was rebuilt in Meiji Era.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Sannomaru

Sannomaru is an area near Otemon gate.

Sannnomaru Shuzokan is a small museum which exhibits arts, letters and crafts owned by imperial family.

Three guardhouses remain in Sannomaru area.
The largest guardhouse keeps 100 guards all the time to check people who came to the castle.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Imperial Palace - East Garden - Otemon Gate

Otemon Gate was the main gate of Edo Castle.
Original gate was built in 1607.

You'll get to Sannomaru Area in Edo Castle.
Only major feudal loads were assigned as guards here.

Current gate was rebuilt in 1968 after it burnt down in 1945 by bombing.

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<The Nearest Station>

Otemachi station on Mita Line (I09/Toei Subway) /
Chiyoda Line / Tozai Line (C11/T09/Tokyo Metro)

Gate open
Mar. 1   through Apr. 14  9:00 - 16:30
Apr. 15 through Aug. 31  9:00 - 17:00
Sep. 1  through Oct. 31   9:00 - 16:30
Nov. 1  through Feb. 28   9:00 - 16:00

Closed on Mondays and Fridays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3

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Chidorigafuchi

Chidorigafuchi is one of moats of Imperial Palace.
It's famous for cherry blossoms.

Metropolitan high way goes across Chidorigafuchi.

It's nice to ride on a rowing boat in the season.

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<The Nearest Station>

Kudanshita station on Shinjuku Line (S05/Toei Subway)
/ Hanzomon Line / Tozai Line (Z06/T07/Tokyo Metro)

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Imperial Palace - Sakurada-Mon Gate

Sakurada-Mon Gate is famous for the historical incident.
In late Edo era, Naosuke Ii, chief minister was assassinated outside of Sakurada-Mon Gate on a snowy day by radical group who are against opening the country to the world.

From outside of this gate, you can see the Diet Building, Ministry of Justice and Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

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<The Nearest Station>

Hibiya station on Mita Line (I08/Toei Subway) /
Hibiya Line / Chiyoda Line (H07/C09/Tokyo Metro)
JR Yurakucho station on Yamanote Line / Keihin Tohoku Line

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Sometimes "Sakurada-Mon" means Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Outside of Sakurada-Mon Gate

Diet Building

Ministry of Justice

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department