 Last additions - Imperial Palace and Edo Castle in Tokyo 皇居・江戸城 |
Hirakawa Gate at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Hirakawa Gate at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Plum blossoms at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Plum plossoms near Hirakawa Gate.Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Blizzard of white plum blossoms at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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Plum blossoms at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Plum blossoms at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Plum blossoms at the Imperial Palace.Apr 15, 2020
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Apr 15, 2020
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The Imperial Palace also has some plum blossoms near Hirakawa Gate. Blooming in Feb.Apr 15, 2020
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After Inui-dori, turn left and walk to Chidorigafuchi to see more cherry blossoms.Apr 06, 2016
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Inui Gate from the outside.Apr 06, 2016
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Inui GateApr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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The exit at Inui GateApr 06, 2016
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Cherry blossoms on Inui-dori, Imperial PalaceApr 06, 2016
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Cherry blossoms on Inui-dori, Imperial PalaceApr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Cherry blossoms on Inui-dori, Imperial PalaceApr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Cherry blossoms on Inui-dori, Imperial PalaceApr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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They will do major gardening work from this year, so Inui-dori will not be open this fall and next spring. Have to wait until fall 2017 to see this again.Apr 06, 2016
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Inui-dori is overrated. But because it's the Imperial Palace and the path is not normally open to the public, it has the image of exclusivity so lots of people want to see it.Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Midway, there is a bridge to go to the garden area.Apr 06, 2016
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Dokan moatApr 06, 2016
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Dokan Moat, named after the founder of Edo Castle.Apr 06, 2016
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Lots of people, but very civil. No pushing or shoving. No time limit either. I took my time, taking pictures.Apr 06, 2016
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Fujimi Tamon, defense house. 富士見多聞Apr 06, 2016
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Weeping cherry tree, too early.Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Long houseApr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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In spring 2016, cherry blossoms in Tokyo took 9 days to reach peak bloom due to the warm winter. Longer than usual. So they extended the days when the public can see Inui-dori.Apr 06, 2016
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Fujimi Tamon, defense house. 富士見多聞Apr 06, 2016
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It was still too early, about 2-3 days before full bloom. But this was the last sunny day before clouds and rain that were forecast.Apr 06, 2016
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Fujimi Tamon, defense house. 富士見多聞Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Inui-dori is a somewhat narrow paved path along a moat. It has small cherry trees and autumn foliage.Apr 06, 2016
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Pass by the Imperial Household Agency. They control the lives of the Imperial Family.Apr 06, 2016
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Imperial Palace Fujimi turret and Marunouchi office buildings. Tradtional vs. modern.Apr 06, 2016
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On this fine day on March 31, 2016, 66,950 people visited Inui-dori. During March 25–April 3, 2016, a total of 508,010 visited Inui-dori.Apr 06, 2016
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Imperial Palace Chowaden, where formal banquets are held and where the Imperial family appears in public for New Year's and Emperor's Birthday.Apr 06, 2016
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Sakashita Gate on the other side.Apr 06, 2016
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Apr 06, 2016
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Sakashita GateApr 06, 2016
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Wow, amazing that we could get in so quickly. This was the entrance to Inui-dori, Sakashita Gate.Apr 06, 2016
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After waiting for about 15 min. in the heat, just when I seriously thought about giving up and going home, the line moved forward to the checkpoint where they checked our bags and gave us a body check. It was quick and easy.Apr 06, 2016
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Policeman was shouting that people with no bags to be checked can go through a different (faster) line.Apr 06, 2016
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It seemed that it was going to take forever to get in.Apr 06, 2016
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They started another line of people.Apr 06, 2016
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Long line to enter Inui-dori, a 600-meter path lined with cherry trees along a palace moat. 皇居乾通り一般公開Apr 06, 2016
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I looked at this line and thought it would take at least an hour to get in. It was a hot, sunny day at 20 C on March 31, 2016 at 10:15 am.Apr 06, 2016
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Police vans during cherry blossom season when they opened Inui-dori to the public in late March to April 3, 2016. 皇居乾通り一般公開Apr 06, 2016
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People going to Inui-dori. Since 2014, they opened the path to the public for only several days during the sakura and fall foliage periods. Apr 06, 2016
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They plan to open Inui-dori to the public again in autumn for the fall leaves.Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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A total of 360,000 people visited Inui-dori during the period it was open to the public.Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Insane crowds at Imperial Palace on April 4, 2014.Apr 17, 2014
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It was worse during the weekend.Apr 17, 2014
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People waited 2-3 hours to get in and underwent body searches. I arrived at 2 pm and it was too late to get in.Apr 17, 2014
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Police were on guard for crowd control. Although we could enter the palace until 3 pm, the crowds proved to be too much so they stopped entry by 1:30 pm.Apr 17, 2014
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For the first time, they allowed the public to enter the Imperial Palace to view cherry blossoms along a short path called Inui-dori during April 4-8, 2014.Apr 17, 2014
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What happened was, tens of thousands of people showed up. On the first day April 4, 2014, over 55,000 people came to see the Inui-dori sakura.Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Weeping cherry blossoms near Otemon gate.Apr 17, 2014
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Second Nijubashi Bridge.Apr 17, 2014
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View of Marunouchi office buildings from Imperial Palace.Apr 17, 2014
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Rear of Nijubashi Bridge.Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Apr 17, 2014
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Fortunately, she was sitting on the right side of the carriage facing my side of the street. You can see her in this photo. Wish she waved to us. As soon as she passed, the crowd dissipated.We haven’t had such a star ambassador to Japan in a long time, not perhaps since Edwin Reischauer in 1960s or the beloved Mike Mansfield in the 1980s. Welcome to Japan, Sweet Caroline!Apr 14, 2014
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So I stuck around for about 15 min. and sure enough, at around 4 pm, her horse-drawn carriage appeared after she had shown her credentials to the emperor. I whipped out my camcorder and still camera and started shooting.Apr 14, 2014
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There were two horse-drawn carriages and I correctly assumed she was riding in the first one. No one waved Japanese and American flags though.Apr 14, 2014
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I asked a bystander what was going on. She said they were waiting for “Caroline.” No mention of the last name. “Caroline” in Japan automatically means “Kennedy.”Although I always think of Neil Diamond’s song which coincidentally is about the Caroline they were waiting to see.Apr 14, 2014
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On Nov. 19, 2013, I took a friend around Tokyo and when we headed for the Imperial Palace, we saw this large crowd on the streets. Most were middle-aged and older people. The palace was closed off to tourists as well. Couldn’t see the famous Nijubashi Bridge.Apr 14, 2014
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Sakurada MoatApr 01, 2014
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Sakurada MoatApr 01, 2014
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Hanzomon Gate, Imperial Palace, TokyoApr 01, 2014
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Hanzomon Gate is guarded. This is the closest gate to the Emperor's residence. This is where they normally enter and leave the palace.Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Cherry blossoms along Hanzo Moat.Apr 01, 2014
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Cherry blossoms in front of British Embassy near Hanzomon.Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Hanzomon GateApr 01, 2014
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Hanzomon GateApr 01, 2014
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Marker for an old high school.Apr 01, 2014
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Mexican monumentApr 01, 2014
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Maihime cherry blossoms 舞姫Apr 01, 2014
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Hanzo Moat with Hanzomon Gate in the distance.Apr 01, 2014
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Hanzomon GateApr 01, 2014
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Hanzo MoatApr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Hanzo Moat, near Hanzomon Gate.Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Apr 01, 2014
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Hanzo Moat, near Hanzomon Gate.Apr 01, 2014
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Remains of Ushigomi Mitsuke Gate along Sotobori Moat near Iidabashi Station.Apr 01, 2014
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Remains of Ushigomi Mitsuke Gate along Sotobori Moat near Iidabashi Station.Apr 01, 2014
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Chidorigafuchi with the roof of Budokan visible.Mar 28, 2007
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ChidorigafuchiMar 28, 2007
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Chidorigafuchi 千鳥ヶ淵Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Ninomaru GardenMar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Ninomaru Garden in the East Gardens of the Imperial PalaceMar 28, 2007
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Ninomaru Garden 二の丸庭園Mar 28, 2007
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皇居東御苑Mar 28, 2007
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Suwa-no-Chaya Teahouse 諏訪の茶屋Mar 28, 2007
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Prefectural trees from all prefectures 都道府県の木Mar 28, 2007
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Suwa-no-Chaya Teahouse 諏訪の茶屋Mar 28, 2007
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East Gardens of the Imperial Palace 皇居東御苑Mar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon Gate, rear viewMar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon Gate 桜田門Mar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon GateMar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon GateMar 28, 2007
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The Museum of the Imperial Collections (Sannomaru Shozokan), museum of Imperial Family gifts and artifacts. 三の丸尚蔵館Mar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon Gate 桜田門Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon Gate, near here was where Lord Ii Naosuke from Hikone was assassinated. 桜田門Mar 28, 2007
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Moat near Sakashita-mon GateMar 28, 2007
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Sakashita-mon Gate, closest to the Imperial Household Agency and entrance to Inui-dori, a 600-meter path lined with cherry blossoms. 坂下門坂下門Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Sakashita-mon Gate 坂下門Mar 28, 2007
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Miyazaki Prefecture's official tree 都道府県の木（宮崎県の木）Mar 28, 2007
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桔梗門Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Tatsumi Turret was used for defense with holes to drop stones and windows to shoot arrows. 翼櫓（桜田二重櫓）Mar 28, 2007
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Corner of moatMar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Tatsumi Turret 翼櫓（桜田二重櫓）Mar 28, 2007
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Tatsumi Turret 翼櫓（桜田二重櫓）Mar 28, 2007
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Sakuradamon Gate 桜田門Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse where 100 samurai guards guarded the entrance to the Honmaru, the castle's main keep. 百人番所Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Otemon Gate 大手門Mar 28, 2007
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Doshin Bansho Guardhouse where guards kept watch on the entourage of daimyos visiting the castle. 同心番所Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Kitahane-bashimon Gate. Right behind the castle tower foundation. 北桔橋門Mar 28, 2007
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Tatsumi Turret, also called Sakurada-Niju Turret 翼櫓（桜田二重櫓）Mar 28, 2007
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Otemon Gate 大手門Mar 28, 2007
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Otemon Gate, Edo Castle's main gate. 大手門Mar 28, 2007
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Corner of castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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View of Hakucho moat from Shiomizaka Slope 汐見坂 白鳥濠Mar 28, 2007
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Moat as seen from Kitahane-bashimon GateMar 28, 2007
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Daibansho Guardhouse 大番所Mar 28, 2007
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Side view of castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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Corner of castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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View of Kitahanebashi-mon GateMar 28, 2007
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Top of castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Going up the castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Moat behind castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Going up the castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Castle tower's foundation on the lower right.Mar 28, 2007
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Honmaru, Edo Castle's main keep. See the castle tower's foundation on the lower right. 本丸Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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View from castle tower foundation.Mar 28, 2007
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The original castle tower or donjon was completed in 1607 and later renovated in 1638 under Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu as Japan's tallest castle tower at 58 meters (5 stories high).Mar 28, 2007
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Behind Fujimi TurretMar 28, 2007
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Behind Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Foundation of castle tower or donjon. In 1657, there was a great fire in Edo and a stray ember set the castle tower on fire and destroyed it only 19 years after it was built. It was never rebuilt. 天守台Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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MoatMar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Map of the East Gardens of the Imperial PalaceMar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret, Edo Castle 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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MoatMar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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At one end of the Chowaden is Kitakuruma-yose entrance for Japanese dignitaries. 北車寄Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret. Since Edo Castle had lost its castle tower which was never rebuilt, this turret served the functions of a castle tower. 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Imperial Household Agency is the government agency which controls and manages the affairs of the Imperial family (Emperor, Empress, etc.). 宮内庁Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Fushimi Turret. This is what you see when you see Nijubashi Bridge. No one lives in this building. The Emperor's actual residence is not visible from the outside. 伏見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Fujimi Turret 富士見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Mar 28, 2007
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Japanese flag and Fujimi TurretMar 28, 2007
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The Emperor and Empress appear on the veranda of this building on his birthday (Dec. 23) and Jan. 2. Well-wishers wave flags in the Kyuden Totei plaza. Also see the video at YouTube.Mar 28, 2007
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Crown Prince Hiro, Emperor Akihito, and Empress Michiko behind bulletproof glass on the veranda of the Chowaden Hall on the Emperor's Birthday. See more [url=http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=158]photos of the Emperor's birthday[/urlMar 28, 2007
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The Imperial Palace's Chowaden Hall where formal banquets and meetings are held. This modern complex was built in 1968. In front is the Kyuden Totei plaza 長和殿、宮殿 東庭Mar 28, 2007
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Nijubashi Bridge, the symbol of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. One of Japan's most famous bridges. There is another bridge behind this one. 二重橋Mar 28, 2007
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Fushimi Turret as seen from Nijubashi Bridge. Edo Castle was first built by Ota Dokan (太田道灌) in 1457 when Tokyo/Edo was still a small fishing village. Ota Dokan is thus regarded as one of Tokyo's forefathers. 伏見櫓Mar 28, 2007
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Crossing Nijubashi Bridge to enter the Seimon Gate. 正門Mar 28, 2007
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View from Nijubashi Bridge. The public can cross the bridge on the Emperor's Birthday (Dec. 23) and Jan. 2 for New Year's.Mar 28, 2007
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In Japanese, the Imperial Palace is called "Kokyo" (皇居）. This term begun to be used from 1948. Until then, it was called "Kyujo" (meaning palace castle 宮城）from the time Emperor Meiji took up residence.Mar 28, 2007
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