Part of the Edo Castle was turned into the Imperial Palace East Gardens when constructing the palace for the Emperor.

It is necessary to register at Otemon (gate), but reservations in advance is not necessary and it’s free!

*The inner grounds is massive, use the map below to get your bearings.

Below are the main attractions:

Fujimi Turret

The height of the stone wall reaches 15 meters high, the turret standing on it another 16 meters high, quite an amazing thing to look at. Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), known as the expert in castle construction and a famous daimyo (feudal lord), constructed the stone wall.

The Main fortified Tower (Tenshudai)

After its completion in 1607 layers were added to the tower, reaching its peak height of 60 meters.

The tower and its glory did not last long.

A fire in 1657 destroyed it and was never rebuilt, on the masonry foundation remains today.

Learn more about

Spot Details

Name Imperial Palace East Gardens (Observation of Inner Palace Grounds)
Address 1-1, Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access Access (information desk):
[ Otemon (gate) ]
- 3 min. walk from Otemachi Station Exit C13a on Tokyo Metro all lines.
- 9 min. walk from Nijubashimae Station Exit no.6 on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.
- 13 min. walk from JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Exit.
[ Hirakawamon (gate) ]
- 3 min. walk from Takebashi Station Exit 1a on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.
TEL 03-3213-1111
Open 3/1-4/14 - 9/1-9/30 : 17:00 close
4/15-8/31 : 18:00 close
10/1-10/31 : 16:30 close
11/1-2/28 : 16:00 close
Closed Monday, Friday
Price Free
URL

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