Kikyo Gate
Tokyo Prefecture · Japan
While the palace can be tricky to navigate, your guide will ensure you don’t get lost and help you take photos throughout the tour :)
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:21
Welcome to Kikyo-mon, or the Kikyo Gate, one of the most significant entry points to the inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. As we stand here, we are at the interface of two great eras: the feudal Edo period and the…
Listen in the app2The Bellflower Crest — Ota Dokan's Legacy1:13
The name 'Kikyo Gate' carries deep historical weight. 'Kikyo' is the Japanese word for the bellflower, and the gate is named after the Kikyo Bellflower crest of Ota Dokan. …
Listen in the app3The Masugata Design — Defensive Ingenuity1:08
Architecturally, Kikyo Gate features the classic 'Masugata Kaguchi' design. This was a sophisticated defensive strategy where two gates are positioned in a 'staggered formation' to enhance defense. …
Listen in the app4The Privy Council Building — Modern Political Pivot1:15
Just inside the Kikyo Gate area stands a distinctive western-style building constructed in 1921. This was the headquarters of the Privy Council, a government body established during the Meiji era to advise the Emperor. …
Listen in the app5Fujimi Yagura — The Fuji-Viewing Watchtower1:12
Visible from the tour path near Kikyo Gate is the Fujimi Yagura, a three-storied fortified watchtower. A 'yagura' was used for both monitoring enemy movements and launching attacks. …
Listen in the app6The Imperial Household Agency Building1:13
As we walk deeper into the grounds, we see the Imperial Household Agency building. This is the 'headquarters' for the organization responsible for managing Imperial affairs and supporting the activities of the Imperial family. …
Listen in the app7The Matsu-no-to — Symbol of Longevity1:06
Near the tour's end, we encounter the 'Matsu-no-to' or Pine Tower. This is a unique lighting fixture inspired by the shape of a pine tree, which is considered a 'symbol of eternal life and longevity' in Japanese culture. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:05
As we exit back through the Kikyo Gate, we have completed a journey through the 'key in the lock' of Japan’s history. We have seen how the 1620 stones of the Shogunate provide the foundation for the modern Imperial Palace, and…
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What is Kikyo Gate?
Kikyo 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 |
| Total length | 9 min 33 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.6839, 139.7584 |
| Last updated |
