Imperial Palace

Located in the heart of Chiyoda, Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan and the royal family, symbolizing the nation. The current Imperial Palace was built on the site of Edo Castle, the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. Since Emperor Meiji moved the imperial family from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868, it has served as the permanent residence of the imperial family, housing successive emperors.

The grounds cover approximately 2.3 million square meters, making up about 20% of Chiyoda Ward. The area can be broadly divided into private sections, including the "Fukiage Palace," where the Emperor resides, and the "Palace District," where official duties are carried out, as well as the publicly accessible areas of the "Imperial Palace East Garden" and "Imperial Palace Outer Garden."

Key facilities within the Imperial Palace include:
- The Palace: The location where the Emperor conducts official duties and welcomes foreign dignitaries and guests for state ceremonies.
- The Residence (Fukiage Palace): The place where the Emperor and Empress reside.
- Momijiyama Sericultural Station: A sericulture facility passed down through generations of empresses from Empress Shoken, the consort of Emperor Meiji.
- Imperial Household Agency Building: The building where affairs related to the imperial family are managed.

The Imperial Palace East Garden
The Imperial Palace East Garden is a landscaped garden that has been developed from the ruins of the main bailey, secondary bailey, and tertiary bailey of the former Edo Castle, and has been open to the public since 1968. Spanning approximately 210,000 square meters, it features historical ruins and beautiful Japanese gardens.

Notable sights include:
- Otemon Gate, Hirakawamon Gate, Kitanomaru Gate: Former castle gates that are still used as entrances.
- The Tenshudai: The site where the main keep of Edo Castle once stood, with remnants of the stone foundation.
- Fujimi Yagura: One of the turrets of Edo Castle, which was sometimes used in place of the main keep.
- Ninomaru Garden: A strolling garden restored based on illustrations from the era of the Tokugawa shogunate.
- Hyakunin Bansho and Sannomaru Shōzōkan: Buildings related to security at the time, displaying artworks of the imperial family.

The garden is renowned for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, making it a serene spot to enjoy nature through the seasons while being in the urban center.

Imperial Palace Outer Garden and Surrounding Areas
Established as a national park in 1949, the "Imperial Palace Outer Garden" features historically significant areas such as the Imperial Palace Plaza, Sakurada Gate, and Nijubashi. The lawn area is adorned with around 2,000 black pines, allowing visitors to experience unexpected natural beauty in the city.

- Imperial Palace Plaza: A central hub for tourists, popular for jogging and walking.
- Nijubashi: The stone bridge in front of the main gate, often called “Nijubashi” in reference to both it and the iron bridge behind it; it's a popular spot for photographs. Originally, the iron bridge (Seimon Tetsubashi) was referred to as "Nijubashi."
- Sakurada Gate: An important cultural property known for being the stage of the "Sakurada Gate Incident."
- Statue of Kusunoki Masashige: A popular photo spot featuring a bronze statue of the loyal minister from the Nanboku-chō period.
- Wada-Kura Fountain Park: The fountain is illuminated at night, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

Additionally, the northern area of the Imperial Palace, known as "Kitanomaru District," is a park surrounded by forests, concentrated with cultural facilities such as the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, and the Nippon Budokan. It serves as a recreational space to enjoy nature and seasonal events.

Visiting the Imperial Palace and Special Days
Parts of the Imperial Palace can be visited via prior online reservation. Guided tours in Japanese and English are conducted twice a day from Tuesday to Saturday, allowing visitors to explore sites such as Fujimi Yagura, the Lotus Pond Moat, and Nijubashi while learning more about the palace's history and culture.

Furthermore, there are special opportunities to see the Emperor and the royal family up close twice a year:
- New Year's Public Greeting (January 2)
- Emperor's Birthday (February 23)

On these days, members of the imperial family appear on the balcony of the Chowa-den, drawing many visitors for the occasion.