Soto Sakuradamon Gate
Tokyo Prefecture · Japan
AM tour -- Sakuradamon,Pass through the famous and traditional Japanese castle gates.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Soto Sakuradamon Gate, or Soh-toh Sah-koo-rah-dah-mon, one of the most historically significant and architecturally impressive entrances to the former Edo Castle, now the Imperial Palace. As you stand before this…
Listen in the app2The Outer Barrier — Koraimon
Your journey into the castle begins with the first gate, known as the Koraimon. This is the smaller, outer gate of the Masugata complex. …
Listen in the app3The Killing Floor — The Masu Courtyard
You now stand within the 'Masu,' the rectangular stone enclosure that sits between the outer and inner gates. This area is arguably the most dangerous part of the castle for an invader. …
Listen in the app4The Great Sentinel — Yagura-mon
Facing you now is the second gate, the Yagura-mon, or Watchtower Gate. This is a far more imposing structure than the Koraimon, featuring a heavy two-story wooden building resting directly on top of the gateway. …
Listen in the app5Echoes of 1860 — The Sakuradamon Incident
This gate is perhaps most famous in Japanese history for the 'Sakuradamon Incident' of 1860. On a snowy March morning, the Tairo (Great Elder) Ii Naosuke, the most powerful official in the Shogunate, was assassinated right…
Listen in the app6The Imperial Connection — Meiji's Entrance
Following the collapse of the Shogunate, the castle became the residence of the Emperor. In 1868, the young Emperor Meiji made his historic journey from the old capital of Kyoto to the new capital of Tokyo. …
Listen in the app7Geomancy and the Dragon Pulse
According to traditional Japanese geomancy and Feng Shui, the positioning of Edo Castle was not accidental. The founder, Ota Dokan, and later the Tokugawa Shoguns, meticulously researched 'In-yo-do' (Yin and Yang) to ensure the…
Listen in the app8Closing
As you exit the Soto Sakuradamon Gate and return to the bustling Hibiya-dori, reflect on the layers of time you have just crossed. This gate has served as a fortress, a murder scene, a royal entrance, and a spiritual conduit. …
Listen in the app
What is Soto Sakuradamon Gate?
Soto Sakuradamon Gate is a place in Tokyo Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Tokyo Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.6779, 139.7533 |
| Last updated |
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