Tokyo Imperial Palace description and photos - Japan: Tokyo (Topic)

Tokyo Imperial Palace description and photos - Japan: Tokyo. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Photo and Description

The Imperial Palace is located in the Chiyoda district of the Japanese capital and is located in the same place where the ancient Edo Castle once stood. It has been used as the residence of the emperor and the imperial court since the second half of the 19th century. The total area of the palace complex is almost 7.5 sq. kilometers.

The first castle in this place in the 15th century was built by the local ruler Ota Dokan. From the beginning of the 17th century, the castle acquired the status of the estate of the Tokugawa shoguns, who ruled Japan for two and a half centuries. After the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, Edo Castle became the main residence of the Emperor of Japan.

Throughout its history, the castle has changed its appearance many times - it burned more than once, during the Second World War it was bombed, it was restored and completed. In 1873 the castle the former imperial residence, burned down again - this time to the ground, and in 1888 a new imperial palace was built in its place with gardens and buildings located around it. If until the 19th century the buildings of the complex were built mainly of wood in the traditional Japanese style, then in the 20th century concrete buildings appeared in the palace complex in the traditions of European architecture.

In May 1945, wooden buildings burned down after the bombing - the throne room and the emperor's apartments were destroyed. Emperor Hirohito made a statement of surrender from the library's reinforced concrete basement.

The restored palace consists of two above ground and one underground floor. The main, second and third courtyards of the complex have been turned into the Eastern Palace Park, which is open to all comers on certain days and hours. The complex also houses the Peach Music Hall, three palace sanctuaries, and the Imperial Laboratory. The palace, just like under the shoguns, is surrounded by deep ditches with water.

In addition to the East Park, the palace is still a closed territory, you can get here only twice a year - on January 2, when the emperor and his the family accepts New Year's greetings, and December 23 is the birthday of the emperor, the symbol of the state. Helicopter flights are prohibited above the palace, and there will never be a subway line under it.

Near the palace are Tokyo Central Station, the Ginza shopping area and the Katsumagaseki area, where the offices of many ministries and departments are located.

We also recommend reading Museum of Russian Vodka description and photo - Russia - St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg

Topic: Tokyo Imperial Palace description and photos - Japan: Tokyo.