Day 2: Sensoji temple, Asakusa in Tokyo - Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo - Hibiya garden - IMPERIAL PALACE AND GARDEN - Tokyo Tower.
The map of Tokyo city showed a big patch of green right in the middle of the city. And now that we were roaming around in that part we knew exactly why! We were somewhere in the heart of the city and
everywhere we saw - the Hibiya garden, the pathways we walked on and the
destinations we were led to - our eyes saw thick blankets of green adding
charm to the already beautiful Tokyo!
The pedestrian walk lined with trees and view of the water
View while walking towards the Imperial Palace East Gardens
Imperial Palace East Gardens
A short walk from the Hibiya Gardens, we found our next spot - the Imperial Palace East Gardens - more carefree and a bit more peaceful than the Hibiya.
Entrance to the Imperial East Garden
At the entrance of the garden stood a majestic statue in honor of the great samurai warrior - Kusunoki Masashige who fought many a great samurai battles for Japan’s Emperor in the early 14 century.
Kusunoki Masashige – the great samurai warrior, shown riding a horse.
Open for the general public for free, people were simply relaxing in the gardens or taking their children on joyful pram rides.
Imperial Palace East Garden
Tired
by now, we sat down on the soft green grass and took out some time to
relax. Nearby, a small girl was running around busy playing with her
younger
brother, rolling out chirpy laughters in the air. I casually waved to her and she returned a cute grin back.
Cute kids - our friends!
That was the beginning of a sweet, short and simple language-barrier free friendship lasting for the next half an hour or so. Batteries fully recharged, we bid good byes and exited the garden to walk straight into the Imperial Palace.
Imperial Palace/Nijubashi
Imperial Palace/Nijubashi
I saw the entire setting of the Imperial Palace as something that I had always seen in fairy tale books - a massive moat with still waters creating wavy ripples in it, the towering walls around it, a stone bridge standing above and... in the background, mounted on a hillock surrounded by lush woods and grass with various flowers adding color - the elegant Imperial Palace.
A long view of the Imperial Palace with the stone bridge at the entrance
Formerly known as the Edo Castle from where the Shogunate (governing officer) had ruled the country for over 250 years, today the Imperial palace is home to the Emperor of the country and the Imperial family and remains closed for general viewing.
Imperial Palace - The Royal Residence
But much of its surrounding property is free for you to roam around all through the year and just have a good time in the peace of nature.
The vast open premises of the Imperial Palace
After covering quite a chunk of green from our Tokyo city map on foot, it was time now to head back to our hotel room and take some much needed rest but the day was far from over as yet. The night would see us out onto the streets again, to meet this bubbly city dressed in its evening gown...
How to Reach and Other Fast Facts:
Entry fee: Free.
Timings: 9.00 – 16.30
Get Down at:
For the Imperial Palace East Garden: Otemachi Subway station (C10 exit).
For Imperial Palace: Niju-bashi-mae subway station.
For Imperial Palace: Niju-bashi-mae subway station.
Also, For both: Around 15 min. walk from the Hibiya Gardens.
Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -
66 Comments
What a delightful looking, lovely garden, Arti! Your photos are terrific as always -- the next best thing to being there! Thanks for sharing the day! Hope you had a good weekend and that you have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteLovely. Japanese trees always look so pretty. I mean, all threes do, but there's something about Japanese trees.
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDeleteAlways good to hear of friendships, no matter how short, that break the barriers.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, thanks.
Beautiful narration and great pictures, especially the second one. Wondering how Japanese manage to maintain such huge open spaces green:)
ReplyDeletewould you be writing about tokyo dressed in its evening gown too? love your photos, and so cute you found a sweet lannguage-barrier free friendship.
ReplyDeleteFrom your picture i can feel Japan is the great place for pedestrian, clean and green :)
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteLooks like a magnificent garden and park and so tranquil.
Thanks for sharing and hope you have
a lovely week
hugs
Carolyn
Beautiful gardens to relax in and so nice to see that you made a friend :)
ReplyDelete@Arti Thanks for the beautiful post of your Japan Yatra. Beautiful photographs with description. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteReading these posts are like traveling in your companionship Arti. Beautiful pictures and description
ReplyDelete@betchai Yes, I will... that's the Tokyo Tower.
ReplyDeletelovely post and photos, Arti!! you are giving us a virtual tour of japan!!
ReplyDeleteArti its pleasure to see Japan through your post...
ReplyDeleteIt is a very neat and tidy world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this place all the world.
ReplyDeleteThe place is very large and beautiful, as you know.
I can't believe that the place is located in the center of Tokyo.
Lovely posts and photographs Arti.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing. Enjoyed it.
Beaitifully narrated travelogue
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
There's a lot to read what I have missed earlier but enjoyed the clicks and the narration.
ReplyDeleteThose kids are just adorable. Looks like a beautiful place to just unwind and relax :)
ReplyDeleteThose gardens look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteamazing place...i have to visit
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos, Arti! Love them all. They bring back such fond memories as well. Looks like a great trip so far.
ReplyDeleteSo informative Arti - you learned much history while in Japan. I like the simple friendships you forged.
ReplyDeleteAh! Japan.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet.
Your beautiful pictures are
making it all alive before
my eyes.
I am awaiting the price list of
those cute things you displayed
in your earlier post of shopping complex.
Amazed that the entry if FREE.. good
ReplyDeleteand what beautiful pictures , you sure had a good time ..
Bikram's
The little children in the park are so cute. Wonderful series of photos from your trip!
ReplyDeletebeautiful garden pics
ReplyDeleteArti...you made it to my favorite list! Pls accept your Liebster award here :)
ReplyDeletehttp://ashokism.blogspot.in/2012/08/liebster-award.html
This post makes me recall my first day at Japan (have visited it as a part of JENESYS student exchange program) when we were taken to the Imperial Palace. I did not really bother to know the names of places and of the great men cast in metal and stone. The photos here make me realize that this was the place. A travel blogger definitely stands apart from other visitors inquiring and gathering information. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello, Arti. Thanks for reminding me of Japanese history. Yes, Kusunoki Masashige was very loyal to the emperor and fought for him in 14th century. In my hometown Kobe, there is also his statue at Minatogawa Shrine, we have affectionately called him Nanko-san. There seem to be much more green in Tokyo than I had thought. Look forward to the next place.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I've truly enjoyed this and the previous post strolling through the garden. what fantastic photos - capturing the essence of the days you've spent there. thanks for including the history of these spots. and thanks for sharing this adventure with us. happy week to you Arti. always a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place but it should be open more long hours, 4:30 is really early. Thanks for sharing Arti :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful post. Although I've never been to Japan, you're post made me feel as though I was there, far away from home,in a place you so beautifully narrated. Glad to have found your blog :)
ReplyDeleteHere's my site - www.movieroundup.in check out sumtime
Nothing more wonderful in such a big city then finding a park filled with green in it. A place to find quiet from the fast pace of city life. Another wonderful journey you are leading us on. Hugs Carrie
ReplyDeleteWe loved the Imperial Palace and East Gardens. Looks like you didn't get lost like we did :) It's amazing how well-maintained and beautiful the gardens were amidst the skyscrapers. We hope to get to go inside the palace next time.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post, Arti. I always get so intrigued with your love for small details with an ample dose of emotions thrown in. :)
ReplyDeleteA garden right in the center of the city! That's really great and wonderful planning too. Loved the pic with the 2 kids.. Even though Japan went through catastrophic incidents in the past and present, they still know how to maintain this country! Something for us to learn..
ReplyDeleteI always think of Tokyo as a concrete jungle with no room for green space or palaces. Cool to know that you can find both in Tokyo.
ReplyDeleteThe place is huge and so relaxing in the middle of a busy city.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice place Japan is looks like its equivalent to what Hyde Park is to London though we have some small parks in Delhi but not as diverse as it is.
ReplyDeleteArti,
ReplyDeleteOH, Kusunoki Masashige!! He was my hero when I was a little child. I do not know how many books on him I read and how many movies about him I saw. He has been admired as the symbol of Samurai spirit.
He was dedicated all his life to the emperor and his son also followed his father.
Thanks a lot for taking me to my good old days!!
keiko
This looks like such a peaceful place :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs, fantastic views. I am pleased that I can admire such places. I am greeting
ReplyDelete@cocomino Is it not somewhere towards the middle of the city? Please do correct me if I am wrong and I will make the changes. :)
ReplyDelete@Rakesh kumar Ji I have edited the post with the price list in Indian Rupees as you had asked for. Please have a look and let me know if you require anything else.
@stardust @snowwhite Thanks for the additional bit of info. It was very interesting to know! A statue built in honor very near to the entrance very beautifully reflects the warrior, Kusunoki Masashige's loyalty.
I loved finding those green places when I was staying in Tokyo. Very relaxing to me.
ReplyDelete¸.•°`♪♪♫
ReplyDeleteEncantadora viagem virtual...
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
°ÂºBrasil♫º
♫♪.•å½¡♡彡•.♪♫
Beautiful pics, Arti. Tokyo is such a neat and tidy city...:)The Imperial palace with sprawling lawns looks so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
Both beautiful gardens -- and it's lovely you made friends with the adorable children -- language doesn't matter really does it!
ReplyDeleteHi , such greenery and peace, as usual wonder ful post and wonderful snaps :)
ReplyDeleteHii.....lovely pics and lovelier write-up. The post was very informative :).
ReplyDeletehttp://himangshu-gentlemusings.blogspot.in/2012/08/melbourne-inception-of-dream.html
such a beautiful place Japan is !
ReplyDeleteHaving the time of your life, Arti? The good thing is that you make us feel the pleasure you feel.
ReplyDeleteTokyo looks so green and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNice captures.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
The palace garden is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteArti,
ReplyDeleteYou have clicked some nice images. The greenery look good. Overall write up shows that you are having a great time.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
@Sabyasachi Patra Indeed, the place was very beautiful and I had a great time. I am now back :)
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful of the Japanese to create parks & open spaces in the middle of the city.Such gestures improve the quality of life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I never know what to like the most on your blog posts sometimes.. the images or the wonderful narration.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a place of immense beauty in writing and pictures, Arti:)
ReplyDeleteArti..It was like walking with you along the magnificent palace garden.Lovely pics...and wonderful narration. Loved those cute babies...:))
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...
Lovely place!! Reminds me of NYC's Central Park..
ReplyDeleteAha !! This is lovely .. wish they had allowed you inside the palace then we would have more photographs :)
ReplyDeleteThis post brought back lot of fond memories. I was struck by the greenery around the Imperial Palace premises, i mean this was bang in the middle of a city like Tokyo. You have perfectly described how even i felt, the first time i set my eyes on the lake, the stone bridge and the castle:) how i wish they allowed people to take a peek inside. The gravelly path leading upto the palace gates, the cool climate, and acres and acres of open space was magical in a city.
ReplyDeleteThis place is in my Tokyo trip plan. Looks like i will not be disappoint after reading your blo :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)