Imperial Palace East Gardens

Overview

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are the beautifully maintained, freely accessible former grounds of Edo Castle's innermost defensive ring, offering a serene green oasis directly in the center of Tokyo.

Highlights

• Honmaru Ruins: The massive stone walls and foundations of the original Edo Castle keep (tenshu-dai), destroyed by fire in 1657 and never rebuilt.
• Ninomaru Garden: A meticulously restored traditional Japanese garden originally designed for the shogun's pleasure, featuring seasonal flowers and a peaceful pond.
• Historic Moats: The enormous defensive moats still filled with water, now home to swans and dramatically framed by cherry trees and weeping willows.

History

These gardens occupy the site of Edo Castle, the seat of Tokugawa shogunate power from 1603 to 1868. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868, the castle became the Imperial Palace. The East Gardens were opened to the public in 1968.

Visitor Tips

• Free Entry: The gardens are completely free but closed Mondays, Fridays, and certain Imperial events.
• Token System: You receive a numbered plastic token at the entrance that must be returned upon exit.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.