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Imperial Palace
 Edo
Castle, from which the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan once occupied
this location. The imperial family moved from Kyoto to take up residence
in Tokyo in the 19th century. The palace built in 1888 was destroyed
by Allied bombing during the Second World War, and the present complex
was completed in 1968. Visitors from all over Japan enjoy posing
for a souvenir photograph against the backdrop of Nijubashi bridge
and the old guard tower.The bridge itself is open to the public
on only two days each year: Jan 2and Dec 23(the Emperor's birthday),
when the imperial family makes an appearance on a palace balcony.
The road beside the moat that circles the palace grounds is a popular
jogging course.The East Garden is one part of the grounds that is
open to the public. You can view what's left of the central keep
of Edo Castle, and there's a small museum of articles related to
the imperial family.
East Garden is open 9:00-16:30. (until 16:00 from Nov to Feb).
Last entry 30min before closing time.
Subway Otemachi Stn or Takebashi Stn. Closed Mon, Fri and on special
occasions.
Admission: free.
Every day(Mon-Fri) there is a free guided tour around part of the
palace grounds and the East Garden at 10:30 and at 13:00. Reserve
by telephone (03213-1111) and take your passport to the lmperial
Household Agency by the day before.
Kitamaru Park
 Kitanomaru
Park, to the north of the Imperial Palacel is home to the Nippon Budokan
Hall, the Science Museum. The National Museum of Modern Art (closed for
renovation until fall 2001), and its annex, the Crafts Gallery. The Budokan
is an imposing octagonal structure modeled after the Yumedono Hall of
Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture. It was originally built for the judo
competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and now serves as a venue for
major concerts as well as Japanese martial arts events. Regular classes
are held in every martial arts disclpline and visitors are welcome to
watch. The park is at its liveliest in early April when Chidorigafochi,
the avenue of cherry trees along the palace moat, is hung heavy with blossom
and packed with sake fueled cherry-blossom viewing parties. Other places
of interest near the park are Yasukuni Shrine and Yamatane Museum of Art.
Yasukuni Shrine is dedicated to Japanese war dead and has a small museum
(Yushukan) housing artifacts and documents associated with past conflicts.
9:00-17:00(until 16:30 from Nov to Feb). Last entry 30min before closing
time. Open daily except for a few days in late Aug and late Dec. Yamatane
Museum of Art has a fine collection of Japanese paintings from the Meiji
era to the present day. 10:00-17:00. Closed Mon. A 12min walk from subway
Kudanshita Stn. Admission 500yen.
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