19/10/2008
The present Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo station. It is the residence of the Japan’s Imperial Family.
Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa Shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country’s capital and imperial Residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt in the same style afterwards. From Kokyo Gaien, the large Plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived. The inner grounds of the palace are generally not open to the public. Only January 2 (New Year’s Greeting) and February 23 (Emperor’s birthday) visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.
