Posted by Jess
23 October 2010
Happy Birthday, Kiki!
On Tuesday of Kiki-fest I had to work and Ella had school. But I went in to work a little later and after we dropped Ella off at school, Kiki, Abby and I headed to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The East Garden is one section of the imperial palace grounds. As far as I can tell from a little bit of research, it currently holds the imperial music hall, the department of ceremonies, and the Museum of Imperial Collections. The East Gardens used to hold the stables, housing for the workers, and prior to that, defense buildings and look-out towers, but those buildings are no longer there. While you cannot go into the palace itself unless you are on a guided tour or on the Emperor's Birthday and New Years (Dec 23rd and Jan 2nd), I was hoping to take a look around the grounds of the East Gardens and in the outer gardens. But because the day before had been a holiday and museums/public buildings are usually closed on Monday, the gardens were closed. We walked the loop around the East Gardens which gave a nice view of the gates, the moat, and the stone walls all around it. I think this area is about 5km so it was a longer walk than I expected. Good thing it was nice out!
Although the original castle is no longer there, this larger area was the site of the Edo Castle from 1603-1867. And then after the Edo period ended and Edo became Tokyo, the castle was destroyed in a fire and the palace was built instead. This version of the palace was rebuilt after the original was destroyed in WWII. The Imperial Palace is Tokyo's White House. It's where the Emperor lives and where official business takes place.
Other than that, I went to work and had calls into the evening, so Kiki helped out and picked up Ella from school and made dinner for the girls. By the time I came home they were all full and ready for bed. Thanks Kiki!
Hoping to head back to the palace in the Springtime as this was a really pretty area and I think during Cherry Blossoms it would be fantastic! I also would like to do the tour of the palace (yes, it is offered in English) and get to see inside the grounds and more of the buildings. It's hard just walking around the outside to understand how it all fits together and to figure out which buildings are which. This area could definitely use more exploration.
Kanpai!
Jess
23 October 2010
Happy Birthday, Kiki!
On Tuesday of Kiki-fest I had to work and Ella had school. But I went in to work a little later and after we dropped Ella off at school, Kiki, Abby and I headed to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The East Garden is one section of the imperial palace grounds. As far as I can tell from a little bit of research, it currently holds the imperial music hall, the department of ceremonies, and the Museum of Imperial Collections. The East Gardens used to hold the stables, housing for the workers, and prior to that, defense buildings and look-out towers, but those buildings are no longer there. While you cannot go into the palace itself unless you are on a guided tour or on the Emperor's Birthday and New Years (Dec 23rd and Jan 2nd), I was hoping to take a look around the grounds of the East Gardens and in the outer gardens. But because the day before had been a holiday and museums/public buildings are usually closed on Monday, the gardens were closed. We walked the loop around the East Gardens which gave a nice view of the gates, the moat, and the stone walls all around it. I think this area is about 5km so it was a longer walk than I expected. Good thing it was nice out!
Although the original castle is no longer there, this larger area was the site of the Edo Castle from 1603-1867. And then after the Edo period ended and Edo became Tokyo, the castle was destroyed in a fire and the palace was built instead. This version of the palace was rebuilt after the original was destroyed in WWII. The Imperial Palace is Tokyo's White House. It's where the Emperor lives and where official business takes place.
Other than that, I went to work and had calls into the evening, so Kiki helped out and picked up Ella from school and made dinner for the girls. By the time I came home they were all full and ready for bed. Thanks Kiki!
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| Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) leading up to the main gate |
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| The Main Gate with Guards in the Guardhouses |
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| the railing leading up to the main gate |
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| the imprints on the sidewalk on the walk around the gardens |
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| Happy Abby! |
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| And yes, she did get to run around a bit too! |
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| One of my favorites - such a smiley girl |
Hoping to head back to the palace in the Springtime as this was a really pretty area and I think during Cherry Blossoms it would be fantastic! I also would like to do the tour of the palace (yes, it is offered in English) and get to see inside the grounds and more of the buildings. It's hard just walking around the outside to understand how it all fits together and to figure out which buildings are which. This area could definitely use more exploration.
Kanpai!
Jess
9:19 PM |
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