Imperial Palace
Hi Travelers, this is Kumi. I'm now planning to publish a Kindle book on Tokyo photo locations. In this book, a traveler/photographer, Cat, asks questions to a guide/photographer, Kumi.
C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer
* * * * * * * * *
K: The Imperial Place is located on the former site of Edo Castle.
C: Huh? What's Edo?
K: Edo is a former name of Tokyo. Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867, used to live here. Now, this is the residence of the Imperial Family.
C: I see. It seems a huge area. Are there any particular spots you'd recommend for photos?
K: It depends on how much time you have and which day. I wrote down the choices.
1) Sakuradamon & Nijubashi area (10-30 min)
2) East Gardens (approx. 90-120 min, *closed on Mondays and Fridays)
C: 10 minutes?
K: If your schedule is very tight, you could take the Yurakucho Line to Sakuradamon station and go to exit 3. Then, you can see this traditional gate.
C: Right outside the exit?
K: Yes. Please check out the location from the link. You can see the moat, too.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.6782,139.7534,16.99533064721061/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
C: I like the contrast of modern Tokyo and old Tokyo.
K: If you just take photos of the gate and go back to the station, it would probably take 5-10 minutes.
C: Uh, that's why you said 10 minutes.
K: If you have more time, you can go through the gate.
C: OK.
K: If you keep walking after the gate and then turn left, you'll see the old bridge. A lot of people call this bridge "Nijubashi" by mistake, but the true Nijubashi is the one behind this. Anyway, this is one of the most famous photo spots of the Imperial Palace. This area is called "Nijubashi area."
K: You might see some VIPs if you're lucky.
C: Wow! Did you see the Emperor?
K: No. According to a security guard, it was an Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan. Anyway, you could walk back to Sakuradamon station, or you could walk to Hibiya station. Here is the map.
https://goo.gl/maps/tLmCmDhbHZPtjR438
C: So this is a short version, right?
K: Right. Now let me tell you about the East Gardens. If you're very interested in history, you'll love this place. But, please be careful. This garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
C: OK. Can I walk there from Sakuradamon or Nijubashi area?
K: Umm... it's possible but quite far. If you visit the East Gardens, you probably don't need to go to Sakuradamon or Nijubashi unless you have any special reason because you'll walk a lot in the garden.
C: I see. Then, where is the nearest station to the garden?
K: I'd recommend the Otemachi station. The closest exit is C13a.
C: Is it easy to find the Imperial Palace?
K: Yes. You can't miss it! At the Otemon gate, your bags will be inspected.
C: Can I bring in a tripod.
K: No problem. As long as you don't bother other visitors, you can use a tripod.
C: Good.
K: As for the sightseeing route, please see the map on the official page from this link. Let me tell you about the places with the numbers on the map.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/shisetsu/higashigyoen-map.html
K: Can you find the Otemon gate on the map? It is close to 30.
C: Found it.
K: This used to be the first checkpoint where the visitors were inspected.
C: Used to be? We were inspected today.
K: Hahaha. True. After the gate, you could check out Sannomaru Shozokan which is 29. This is the Museum of the Imperial Collections.
C: How much is the admission?
K: It's free.
C: Nice!
K: Then, you'll see Doshin-bansho which is 13. This is a guardhouse.
C: Are the signs written in English, too?
K: Yes. You could also download the app in advance and enjoy the audio guide.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/app.html
C: OK. I'll do that.
K: This is Hyakunin-bansho which is 14. This is also a guardhouse.
C: It looks huge!
K: You can see a lot of huge stone walls, too.
C: Amazing!
K: It's easy to miss, Fujimi-yagura, so please pay attention to the left side. It's number 1 on the map There is a narrow way. This tower was built to see Mt. Fuji.
C: Can I see Mt. Fuji from here?
K: Not anymore. In fact, you cannot really take good photos from here but still, it's very interesting to see the information panels.
C: OK. I'll check it out.
K: The highlight of the East Gardens is #16, the base of the castle called Tenshu-dai.
C: This is cool! Can I go up there?
K: Yes. This is the view from Tenshu-dai.
C: Oh? Not as good as I expected.
K: I know. So I prefer to take photos from a lower area. Then, you can capture a clear view.
C: Oh, I like this!
K: See? After the Tenshu-dai, if you run out of time, you could go out of Hirakawa-mon and go to Takebashi station.
K: If you still have time, you could walk down Shiomi-zaka which is 15. You can enjoy the view of Hakucho-bori moat.
C: This is like seeing the past and present at the same time, isn't it?
K: Right. After this, you could enjoy Ninomaru Garden which is 25 on the map.
C: This area must be very photogenic.
K: Very much! However, by the time you arrived at Ninomaru Garden, you may have walked for 2 hours or so and you still need to walk either to Takebashi station or Otemachi station. So please make sure to have enough time when you visit the East Gardens.
C: Perhaps, I'll spend the whole afternoon here. What time does it close?
K: It depends on the seasons. The earliest is 4pm in winter and the latest is 6pm in summer. Please check out the website before you go.
https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html
C: Did you take photos around the moat in the evening?
K: Oh, thank you for asking. I almost forgot. The reflection on the moat is really beautiful, especially around Otemachi, Nijubashimae, and Hibiya station.
C: Are these gingko trees?
K: Right. The color came out nicely. And this is night.
C: Where is the exact location?
K: This area is called Babasakimon. This is right next to Exit B6 between Hibiya station and Nijubashi-mae station.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.6784,139.7605,16.99533064721061/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
C: Definitely, I'll be busy in the evening.
K: I bet.
C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer
* * * * * * * * *
K: The Imperial Place is located on the former site of Edo Castle.
K: Edo is a former name of Tokyo. Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867, used to live here. Now, this is the residence of the Imperial Family.
C: I see. It seems a huge area. Are there any particular spots you'd recommend for photos?
K: It depends on how much time you have and which day. I wrote down the choices.
1) Sakuradamon & Nijubashi area (10-30 min)
2) East Gardens (approx. 90-120 min, *closed on Mondays and Fridays)
C: 10 minutes?
K: If your schedule is very tight, you could take the Yurakucho Line to Sakuradamon station and go to exit 3. Then, you can see this traditional gate.
C: Right outside the exit?
K: Yes. Please check out the location from the link. You can see the moat, too.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.6782,139.7534,16.99533064721061/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
C: I like the contrast of modern Tokyo and old Tokyo.
K: If you just take photos of the gate and go back to the station, it would probably take 5-10 minutes.
C: Uh, that's why you said 10 minutes.
K: If you have more time, you can go through the gate.
C: OK.
K: You might see some VIPs if you're lucky.
C: Wow! Did you see the Emperor?
K: No. According to a security guard, it was an Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan. Anyway, you could walk back to Sakuradamon station, or you could walk to Hibiya station. Here is the map.
https://goo.gl/maps/tLmCmDhbHZPtjR438
C: So this is a short version, right?
K: Right. Now let me tell you about the East Gardens. If you're very interested in history, you'll love this place. But, please be careful. This garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
C: OK. Can I walk there from Sakuradamon or Nijubashi area?
K: Umm... it's possible but quite far. If you visit the East Gardens, you probably don't need to go to Sakuradamon or Nijubashi unless you have any special reason because you'll walk a lot in the garden.
C: I see. Then, where is the nearest station to the garden?
K: I'd recommend the Otemachi station. The closest exit is C13a.
C: Is it easy to find the Imperial Palace?
K: Yes. You can't miss it! At the Otemon gate, your bags will be inspected.
C: Can I bring in a tripod.
K: No problem. As long as you don't bother other visitors, you can use a tripod.
C: Good.
K: As for the sightseeing route, please see the map on the official page from this link. Let me tell you about the places with the numbers on the map.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/shisetsu/higashigyoen-map.html
K: Can you find the Otemon gate on the map? It is close to 30.
C: Found it.
K: This used to be the first checkpoint where the visitors were inspected.
C: Used to be? We were inspected today.
K: Hahaha. True. After the gate, you could check out Sannomaru Shozokan which is 29. This is the Museum of the Imperial Collections.
C: How much is the admission?
K: It's free.
C: Nice!
K: Then, you'll see Doshin-bansho which is 13. This is a guardhouse.
C: Are the signs written in English, too?
K: Yes. You could also download the app in advance and enjoy the audio guide.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/app.html
C: OK. I'll do that.
K: This is Hyakunin-bansho which is 14. This is also a guardhouse.
C: It looks huge!
K: You can see a lot of huge stone walls, too.
C: Amazing!
K: It's easy to miss, Fujimi-yagura, so please pay attention to the left side. It's number 1 on the map There is a narrow way. This tower was built to see Mt. Fuji.
C: Can I go inside and see Mt. Fuji?
K: No but you can enter Fujimi-tamon Defence house which is 6 on the map. Again, this building is hidden. So when you see tea leaves like these, you should go uphill.
K: Then, you'll see the entrance.
K: You should take off your shoes but can go inside.
C: Can I see Mt. Fuji from here?
K: Not anymore. In fact, you cannot really take good photos from here but still, it's very interesting to see the information panels.
C: OK. I'll check it out.
K: The highlight of the East Gardens is #16, the base of the castle called Tenshu-dai.
C: This is cool! Can I go up there?
K: Yes. This is the view from Tenshu-dai.
C: Oh? Not as good as I expected.
K: I know. So I prefer to take photos from a lower area. Then, you can capture a clear view.
C: Oh, I like this!
K: See? After the Tenshu-dai, if you run out of time, you could go out of Hirakawa-mon and go to Takebashi station.
K: If you still have time, you could walk down Shiomi-zaka which is 15. You can enjoy the view of Hakucho-bori moat.
C: This is like seeing the past and present at the same time, isn't it?
K: Right. After this, you could enjoy Ninomaru Garden which is 25 on the map.
C: This area must be very photogenic.
K: Very much! However, by the time you arrived at Ninomaru Garden, you may have walked for 2 hours or so and you still need to walk either to Takebashi station or Otemachi station. So please make sure to have enough time when you visit the East Gardens.
C: Perhaps, I'll spend the whole afternoon here. What time does it close?
K: It depends on the seasons. The earliest is 4pm in winter and the latest is 6pm in summer. Please check out the website before you go.
https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html
C: Did you take photos around the moat in the evening?
K: Oh, thank you for asking. I almost forgot. The reflection on the moat is really beautiful, especially around Otemachi, Nijubashimae, and Hibiya station.
C: Are these gingko trees?
K: Right. The color came out nicely. And this is night.
C: Where is the exact location?
K: This area is called Babasakimon. This is right next to Exit B6 between Hibiya station and Nijubashi-mae station.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.6784,139.7605,16.99533064721061/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
C: Definitely, I'll be busy in the evening.
K: I bet.
