The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are located within the Imperial Palace, where Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress reside, and are managed by the Imperial Household Agency. Developed from parts of the former Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru areas of Edo Castle, the gardens are open to the public as an Imperial Palace garden. The grounds feature many valuable historic sites that preserve traces of the Edo period, including the Tenshudai, the stone base built to support Edo Castle’s main keep, as well as three guardhouses and Fujimi-yagura.
Edo Castle in the fall is almost unfairly beautiful! The slightly cool weather, paired with golden leaves covering the ground, makes walking through the spacious castle ruins feel like a movie scene.
The shoguns of the past may be gone, but the impressive gates, moats, and stone walls still feel incredibly grand. I couldn’t help stopping every few steps to take photos.
I originally thought I could see it all in half a day, but the more I walked, the more hooked I got. It felt like exploring through different stages of an adventure, and before I knew it, several hours had passed.
If you’re visiting Tokyo, don’t just focus on shopping. Set aside some time for a walk around Edo Castle. You’ll realize history can be this charming!






















