The Imperial Palace

Tokyo is one of the major hubs in the financial world boasting to be one of the most populous metropolitan areas with the highest economy in the world. One can grasp the values of this thriving Tokyo City by exploring its streets flanked by impressive landmarks. Juxtaposed within the stunning skyline are traditional to futuristic structures that will take you on a virtual tour across Tokyo’s timeline.

Among the popular landmarks in Tokyo there are ones that stands out the most like the 333 metre tall Tokyo Tower and the 798 metre long Rainbow Bridge. The former gives you a thrilling bird’s eye view of Tokyo’s Minato Ward while the latter is an eye candy that dazzles throughout night in rainbow colours.

When it comes to traditional landmarks of Tokyo there is a one in particular that draws more attention by resting on the one of the most precious square kilometre of the world. Referred by the locals as the Kokyo, this is the palatial home of Japan’s Emperor known as the Imperial Palace. Set in the Chiyoda Ward of the Central Tokyo this grand palace is surrounded by an area landscaped like a park, where the entire territory spans more than seven square kilometres.

Before it was officially declared as the Imperial Palace, the site was known as the Edo Castle. Tokugawa Ieyasu founded the Tokugawa Shogunate, a powerful feudal regime that ruled the country from the turn of the 17^th century to mid 19^th century. The shoguns, or the Generals of this regime, ruled from the Edo Castle and following the revolutionary Meiji Restoration in 1867 the last shogun surrendered and left the castle. Since then Japan came under the rule of the Emperor lineage and the Edo Castle was coined as the Imperial Palace.

There are a number of buildings within the site which includes Kyuden, the Main Palace and other residences of the Imperial family. Beautifully landscaped gardens surround these buildings while the old wooden double bridges have been restored with iron and stone bridges.

The houses of the Imperial family sit within the Fukiage Garden while the picturesque East Garden nestles many administrative buildings. The palace complex also snuggles several gardens, a music hall and a tea house. For those who are interested in traditional architecture this is a tour you simply cannot afford to miss. You can even observe traditional artistry found on the palace’s gabled roofs, and beams and columns.

Due to security measures most parts of the palace are off limits to the public saving the Imperial East Garden which is open throughout the year. But on specific days like the Emperor’s birthday on 23^rd December and the New Year commemoration on the second January public are welcomed to the inner palace grounds. On these two days visitors will have the rare opportunity to see the Imperial family as they make their annual public appearances.

Plan your visit to Tokyo during the end of December so you can capture two rare opportunities to explore this magnificent Imperial Palace of Tokyo. You can opt for staying at a Tokyo serviced apartment at a hotel that sits next to subways in a thriving urban ward called Shinjuku in Tokyo. A cosy hotel that combines the homely ambiance of an apartment is what Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is all about. It is a serviced accommodation Tokyo catering to the needs and tastes of leisure and business travellers who would prefer to stay in Tokyo either for a long or short term.