Two Gardens in Tokyo

浜離宮恩賜庭園 - the Hamarikyu Gardens - the ancient Shōgun's palace

The Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo is a beautiful park on the site of what was once the palace of the Japanese Shogun during the Edo Period.

bridge to the old palace 

I paid a small fee for a ticket to walk around the grounds. It was still early in the morning, and since it was a weekday, the park was empty and quiet. It had rained the night before, and the air was cold.

statue in the garden 

The Shogun's palace is long gone, but the garden is meticulously maintained. There are a few statues and a handful of structures, including a tea house and a small museum.

the Shogun's gardens 

皇居 - The Imperial Palace East Gardens - the former Edo Castle

The monarch of Japan is the world's sole remaining emperor. As a matter of fact, the old emperor, Akihito, abdicated recently, passing the throne on to his son. He was the first emperor to do so in over two centuries!

The ancestral home of the Japanese Imperial Family is located right in the heart of Tokyo, just a short walk from Tokyo Station. The old station is large, but as the busiest train station in the country, it's not nearly large enough. The vast majority of Tokyo Station is actually underground! The Metro, Japan Rail, and Shinkansen (bullet trains) all run through this huge labyrinthine train station.

Tokyo Station 

You need a reservation to take the tour of the Imperial Palace, which I wasn't able to get in time. That list fills up fast! However, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are free and open to visit.

The Imperial Palace 

I would have liked to tour the palace itself. Maybe next time!

entrance to the East Gardens 

I got to see a small exhibition hall of Japanese paintings and some of the beautiful imperial flower gardens.

the walls of the Imperial Palace