Royalty Galore (Day 11)

Tokyo
Beauty surrounds me
Amazing culture abounds
Language, lights, and love

A haiku I wrote while here...

Guard at the Imperial Palace

These guards did NOT move once while we were there--not even a blink.

Having a grand time!

Flowers at the East Gardens

Nijunbashi bridge--said to be the most photographed scene in Japan

Edo Castle at the Imperial Palace

In front of a guarded entrance

Two days ago, Tamika and I visited the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, as well as Nijunbashi, two bridges that allow entrance into the inner palace grounds. The Imperial Palace is home to the Imperial Family. The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public.

After a short walk from Tokyo Station, we arrived at the palace. The palace is absolutely gorgeous, and is surrounded by large stone walls. Tamika and I took in the different sites around the Imperial Palace and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We hung around Tokyo for a bit, admired the scenery, and then made the trek back to the hotel.

Walls of the palace

Hanging around Tokyo

Tamika and I at the Imperial Palace

Leading into the East Gardens--these doors are VERY tall!

Tamika at Hyakunin-bansho Guardhouse

This was the largest guardhouse set up in front of the Ote-san-no-mon gate leading to Honmaru for inspection of visitors who entered from Ote-mon gate in the Edo Period. One hundred samurai guardmen, chosen from among the guardsmen and loyal retainers of each of the four main branches of the Tokugawa clan had their quarters there and worked in shifts day and night. No...Tamika isn't a guard ;-)