Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace occupy the former site of Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense, the Honmaru and Ninomaru. Opened to the public in 1968, these 21 hectares of meticulously maintained gardens offer a rare glimpse into the historical heart of Tokyo, where the Tokugawa shoguns once ruled Japan for over 250 years. The massive stone walls, some reaching 20 meters in height, and the deep moats that once protected the castle remain impressively intact. Visitors enter through one of three gates, with the Otemon gate near Tokyo Station being the most popular. The Ninomaru Garden features a traditional Japanese strolling garden with a pond, waterfall, and carefully placed stepping stones. Throughout the year, different sections bloom with seasonal flowers: plum blossoms and camellias in late winter, cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, irises and hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn foliage in November. The site of the former castle keep provides an elevated vantage point with views across the gardens to the surrounding skyscrapers. The gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays.