Tokyo Imperial Palace [Japan]

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[{"address":"Ōte-mon Gate","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":35.68597341140526,"longitude":139.76022930000002},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":768,"height":480},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ftokyo-imperial-palace-moat-tower-768x480.jpg?alt=media&token=e4557a37-bd56-46ac-8dc0-9c21a610056a"},{"type":"text","content":"## How to get to Tokyo’s Imperial Palace\n\nThe Imperial Palace is located in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, just a ten-minute walk from the JR Tokyo Station. Take the Marunouchi Central Exit and the palace grounds are directly west of the station.\n\nTokyo station is served by many JR lines covered by JR Pass, you can use yours to reach it by the following lines:\n\n* JR Yamanote line\n*JR Chuo-Sobu lines\n*JR Keihin-Tohoku line\n*JR Ueno Tokyo line\n*JR Yokosuka lines\n*JR Keiyo line"},{"type":"text","content":"The Royal Palace has been the residence of successive Emperors since 1868. It includes the Royal Residence and the Royal Palace Complex, where the Emperor performs official duties. Many public ceremonies and activities are also held there. Other major buildings in the Palace include the Imperial Household Building and the Palace Silk Center, where successive Empresses raised silkworms following a precedent set in 1871 by the Empress Dowager Shoken. and consort of Emperor Meiji. The East Garden of the Royal Palace is located on the eastern part of the palace grounds and is open to the public."},{"metadata":{"width":576,"height":1024},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng%20(6).mp4?alt=media&token=9cb9baaf-d504-4865-8ad3-6325bc1e29a9"},{"type":"text","content":"You can stop by the site of the Royal Palace at any time – the perimeter is a popular jogging path and the East Gardens are open to the public year-round. However, to get the most out of your visit and get an overview of the history, put on a pair of comfortable shoes and go sightseeing on foot."},{"type":"text","content":"## Special openings and events\nThe Palace’s inner grounds are not generally open to the public. On special days each year, visitors can enter this space and witness public appearances by the Imperial Family. These dates include January 2, the New Year’s Greeting, and February 23, the Emperor’s Birthday."},{"type":"text","content":"#Start: Ōte-mon Gate"},{"metadata":{"width":600,"height":400},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2FThe-East-Gardens-of-the-Imperial-Palace-23-1170350.jpg?alt=media&token=85accd07-b62e-4cf1-a226-7b61f52c3d65"},{"type":"text","content":"Ote-mon Gate is the main gate of Edo Castle (also known as Chiyoda Castle).\n\nThe other gates of Edo Castle that can still be found are Nijūbashi, Sakurada-mon, Sakashita-mon, Kikyō-mon, Hanzō-mon, Inui-mon, Hirakawa-mon and Kitahanebashi-mon. These gates were smaller and less protected than Ote-mon. It is reported that Ote-mon had about 120 guards protecting it while the others ranged between 30 and 70.\n\nOte-mon Gate is on the site of what is now the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Visitors can walk through Ote-mon Gate to view the ruins of Edo Castle, the Museum of the Imperial Collections and the East Imperial Gardens. A walking path from Ote-mon Gate takes visitors to the Imperial Palace, the State Banquet Hall and the Three Palace Sanctuaries.\n\nOte-mon Gate is easily accessible by foot from Uchibori dori. Tourists can take a break from the high-rise buildings that surround the grounds to see this historical landmark and all that lies through its open doors."},{"type":"link","content":"https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/multilingual/lang/en/koukyo/index.html"}]},{"address":"The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":35.68666688584506,"longitude":139.75648380000004},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# The East Gardens"},{"metadata":{"width":950,"height":637},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Fsub005.jpg?alt=media&token=408969f7-a6d3-4a41-acb2-cf18c5ff7a3f"},{"type":"text","content":"Open daily except Mondays, Fridays and designated holidays, these beautiful Japanese gardens are free to the public and especially popular for their dazzling cherry blossoms during the spring and their vibrant autumn foliage later in the year. Take a stroll for a glimpse into the area’s history as the former site of Edo Castle-you can view and climb the foundation of a castle tower that burned down over 350 years ago. Also stop by the Museum of the Imperial Collections."},{"metadata":{"width":960,"height":540},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng%20(1).mp4?alt=media&token=89e03809-01b7-4b0c-b917-2588dbb8ab38"},{"type":"text","content":"While the interior area is unrestricted for most of the year, visitors can still explore the parks and gardens for free without registration. The area is divided into three main sections: East Gardens, Kitanomaru Koen Park, and Kokyo Gaien National Garden — all surrounded by a great jogging path for those who want to walk more."}]},{"address":"Fushimi Yagura","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":35.68417311140451,"longitude":139.75660229999997},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Fushimi Yagura"},{"metadata":{"width":564,"height":376},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2F4fa6010d80414a192345836934efb88c.jpg?alt=media&token=60bf4ad1-9925-410c-b69c-476e86689cad"},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":650},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ffushimiyaguraimg01.jpg?alt=media&token=22238ae6-4078-4948-b7ff-c2387783e3d1"},{"type":"text","content":"The Fushimi Yagura Tower building leaning against a stone wall with its distinct Japanese architecture is a beautiful sight and picture perfect. The water in the moat was a bit greener than we expected but added to it the 'old world Japan' atmosphere. Two bridges with their unique lampposts are visible from the photo areas. We actually saw people walking on them but at this point were too tired to even think about going there. We've got our travel photos and are ready to leave after spending more time than we expected here."},{"type":"text","content":""},{"metadata":{"width":576,"height":1024},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2F1.mp4?alt=media&token=569a3067-2717-481f-943f-62130af2ee94"}]},{"address":"Chidorigafuchi Moat","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":35.69049226140717,"longitude":139.74789264999998},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Chidorigafuchi Moat"},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":747},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Fjw-5d1b4a389efe24.29566576.jpeg?alt=media&token=3af78f53-6e6e-4329-bcaa-2209eb392a78"},{"type":"text","content":"Cherry blossom viewing (sakura) is called hanami in Japanese. It is the most awaited season of the year, when people gather with family, friends or colleagues under the blooming cherry blossoms. After spending four springs in Tokyo, we decided to take hanami to the next level. Boating on the Chidorigafuchi moat while the cherry blossoms are in bloom.\n\nThe Chidorigafuchi moat boat ride was the best cherry blossom viewing spot we've had in Tokyo. Sometimes we wanted to sail this boat but didn't want to queue. This could be the last spring in Tokyo before we call another country home. If you ask me where is the best place to see cherry blossoms, I will make a list of the best cherry blossom viewing places in Tokyo.\n\nWhat's the best thing to do during cherry blossom season in Tokyo? I could not recommend anything better than a boat ride on the Chidorigafuchi moat."},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":667},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2FChidorigafuchi-Boat-in-Spring-with-Sakura.jpg?alt=media&token=cca2e6f4-271f-4341-963b-5721d0d2d0a1"},{"type":"text","content":"* Best day: when sakura somei flowers bloom. Unfortunately, no one can predict exactly when sakura will bloom. Sakura peaked in late March from 2014 to 2016. However, this year somei yoshino bloomed during the first week of April, with their peak on April 4-6. when it begins to fall on April 7.\n\n* Best time: in the morning before the pier opens at 09:30. Arrive an hour early and start lining up to beat the crowds. Afternoon queues are always longer and sometimes have to wait 3 hours to get on the boat. Boat rentals stop at 8pm but most of the time the service closes at 6pm.\n\n* Boat rental in peak / cherry blossom season: 800 yen / 30 minutes (row / pedal), 1,600 yen / 1 hour (row / pedal) in cherry blossom season. Additional hours will be charged after returning to the marina.\n\n* Boat rental in high season: 500 yen / 30 minutes (pedaling / pedal), 1,000 yen / 1 hour (biking) after the cherry blossom season ends until Nov. 30 Boat rentals are subject to change during peak season.\n\n* To Chidorigafuchi: Hanzomon Line stops at Hanzomon Station or Kudanshita Station by Tozai / Shinjuku / Hanzomon Line"},{"metadata":{"width":576,"height":1024},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng.mp4?alt=media&token=7876ba49-c4c8-4720-9493-ae2e007bb18a"},{"metadata":{"width":576,"height":1024},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng%20(2).mp4?alt=media&token=c6557374-938a-4f73-99a5-dc5c17598ab4"}]},{"address":"Tayasumon Gate","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":35.69404761140865,"longitude":139.74932680000003},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Tayasumon Gate"},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":750},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FTJvbRHUFrT152hePCsub%2Ftayasu-mon-2.webp?alt=media&token=72f6edf8-33a5-43eb-a221-2c3860505d50"},{"type":"text","content":"Tayasu-mon Gate was once a part of the great Edo castle. Its massive walls separate the outside world and the Kitanomaru Park which used to be the residence of the extended royal family. This is a typical Masugata-mon style of gate. It is not known exactly when this gate was built, however the present structure was reconstructed in 1636."},{"type":"text","content":"You will end your journey here and can catch the bus back to your hotel"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrJTAtV7GQ"}]}]