Tokyo 東京
Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, located on the country’s largest island, Honshu, has over 14 million residents who live within the Tokyo Metropolis. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Japan’s second-largest city, Yokohama, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 37 million people.
Tokyo, and indeed all of Japan, has a world-class public transport system. It moves a huge population, as well as visitors, efficiently. Visit Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station in the morning. You will see just how busy and efficient a train station can be. People walk fast yet orderly. They know exactly which direction to go.
Visitors will find convenience stores and vending machines, mostly selling drinks, are plentiful in Tokyo and throughout Japan. In fact, there’s one vending machine for every 23 people. You never have to worry about not being able to buy a drink when you are thirsty.
Tokyo is an ultra-modern city yet rich in tradition, and offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining to its visitors. There are so many excellent museums, historic temples, and gardens. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find Tokyo offers many attractive green spaces right in the heart of the city and close to train stations.
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens 皇居東御苑
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens 皇居東御苑, located in the heart of Tokyo and surrounded by many high-rise buildings and commercial towers, is on the former site of Edo Castle, which was the residence of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. After the restoration of imperial power in 1868, Emperor Meiji had the Imperial Palace built nearby. Today, the Imperial Palace serves as the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. While the western part of the site is enclosed within the Emperor’s residence and is generally not open to the public, the eastern side—the Imperial Palace East Gardens—is open to visitors with free admission throughout the year. The gardens are especially popular during cherry blossom season and the autumn months, when vibrant natural colors are on display.
Ninomaru Garden is a traditional Japanese garden located in the north-eastern part of the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The beautifully designed garden with meticulously maintained trees and flowers is creatively arranged around a pond with an elegant stone lantern and several small bridges.
Ninomaru Garden is a perfect place to come for a refreshing walk in peace and calm, close to water, in the busy Tokyo city centre.
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens is a short 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station and is an even shorter 3-minute walk from Otemachi Subway Station.
The Walk
Otemon Gate is the entrance gate of the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The gate is at the end of a bridge over water and is a 15-minute walk west of Tokyo Station or a 5-minute walk west of Otemachi Subway Station. Ninomaru Garden is north of the entrance gate.
Take a refreshing walk around the pond in any direction you like.
Want to discover more great walking locations?Check out the “By the Waters” blogs.
Otemon Gate is the entrance gate of the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The gate is at the end of a bridge over water and is a 15-minute walk west of Tokyo Station or a 5-minute walk west of Otemachi Subway Station.