Chiyoda

Welcome to Chee-yoh-dah, the political, historical, and spiritual heart of Tokyo. This ward is an 'urban jungle' inhabited by over fourteen million people in its greater area, yet it contains at its center a profound refuge of…

Your journey through Chiyoda often begins on Marunouchi Naka-dori, a street that exemplifies 'urban elegance.' This tree-lined avenue, paved with stone and dotted with 'artistic objects,' is the front door to the district. It…

Entering the East Gardens, you are stepping onto the inner grounds of what was once Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate for two hundred and fifty years. This area is now open to the public as a meticulously kept park. …

Approaching the Kokyo Gaien National Garden, you find yourself before the most iconic image of Chiyoda: the Nijubashi, or 'Double Bridge,' and the Main Gate of the Imperial Palace. While normal citizens cannot enter the inner…

At the northern end of the palace grounds lies Chidorigafuchi, perhaps the most beautiful moat in all of Tokyo. This area is world-renowned for its cherry blossoms. …

Adjacent to the Chidorigafuchi moat is Kitano Maru Park, a more 'woodsy' and diverse section of the palace grounds. This park was originally the site of the northernmost barracks of the Edo Castle. …

As we conclude our journey through the ward, it is worth reflecting on the 'brand-new adventure' that the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line offers. This train line, which runs through the heart of the district, connects the quiet,…

As your journey through the Chee-yoh-dah ward comes to an end, take a moment to reflect on the 'refuge' you have found here. In the middle of the world's most populous urban area, you have explored a vast green sanctuary where…