Kokyo Otemon Gate

Welcome to the Kokyo Otemon Gate, the principal entrance to the East Imperial Gardens and historically the main gate of Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate for over two hundred and fifty years. As we stand before this…

Before we pass through the first gate, let us pause to examine the outer moat and the monumental stone walls. The moat, known as the Ote-bori, was the first line of defense for the Shogun's residence. …

As we step through the first, smaller gate—the Koraimon—we find ourselves in a rectangular courtyard enclosed by high stone walls. This is the heart of the 'Masugata' or 'box-shaped' defensive system. …

Just inside the Otemon Gate, we encounter the Doshin Bansho, the first of the three remaining guardhouses on the castle grounds. This long, wooden building was the post for the 'Doshin,' low-ranking samurai who served as guards…

Continuing our walk into the inner grounds, we come upon the impressive Hyakunin Bansho, or '100-Man Guardhouse.' This exceptionally long building, stretching over fifty meters, housed the elite guards of the four main branches…

We have reached the Tenshudai, the massive stone foundation of what was once the tallest castle tower in all of Japan. Completed in 1638, the original Edo Castle 'Tenshu' or donjon rose five stories high above this foundation,…

As we move away from the massive stone foundations, we enter the Ninomaru Garden, located on the site of the former second citadel of Edo Castle. This garden is a meticulous reconstruction based on plans from the ninth Shogun,…

As we pass back through the Kokyo Otemon Gate and re-emerge into the bustling heart of Tokyo, I hope you carry with you a deeper appreciation for the profound layers of history that reside within these walls. We have journeyed…