Edo Castle

When you visit Edo Castle, start from the front—just like in the old days.
Otemon Gate is the castle’s main gate.
During the Edo period, only special figures such as the shogun, feudal lords, and imperial envoys were allowed through.
Today, anyone can pass, so it’s fun to step through and imagine what it once felt like.

After passing through Otemon Gate, you’ll reach the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, a landscaped garden area that includes parts of Edo Castle’s Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru.
Highlights include the checkpoints once used for security (Doshin Bansho and Hyakunin Bansho), the seasonal beauty of Ninomaru Garden, the Edo Castle Honmaru Ruins where you can feel the scale of the main enclosure, and the massive keep foundation.

Within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, you’ll find a 16-meter-tall turret that still stands today, built so the shogun could enjoy views of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Bay, and more.
You can’t go up, but you can view it up close.
Take a moment to picture the scenery the shogun once admired.

There are two bridges leading into the Imperial Palace: the nearer one from the plaza is Seimon Ishibashi (Main Gate Stone Bridge), and the one behind it is Seimon Tetsubashi (Main Gate Iron Bridge).
Many people think “Nijubashi” refers to both bridges together, but officially, it refers only to the rear bridge, Seimon Tetsubashi.
The view from the Imperial Palace Plaza—framed by the two bridges and the Fushimi Yagura turret—is considered one of the most beautiful sights at the Imperial Palace.
It’s a must-see when visiting Edo Castle.

Sakuradamon Gate is known as the site of the Sakuradamon Incident, a major historical event in which Ii Naosuke-who worked to defend the weakening authority of the Tokugawa shogunate-was assassinated.
The gate is a “masugata-mon,” a defensive structure designed to block intruders using two gates and a turret, and it remains fully intact in its original form.
It is now designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Seeing the location of a pivotal moment in Japanese history is a great way to imagine what it was like at the time.

Edo Castle was divided into five areas: Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, Kitanomaru, and Fukiage.
Today, Kitanomaru is Kitanomaru Park, a scenic sightseeing spot with seasonal nature, Important Cultural Properties, and cultural facilities.
With over 200 cherry trees, it’s one of Tokyo’s well-known hanami spots, and it also has many varieties of maple trees for autumn foliage.
The park’s entrances are Tayasu-mon Gate and Shimizu-mon Gate, both once part of Edo Castle and now registered as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
You’ll also find the Showa-kan Museum, which showcases materials on life in Japan after World War II, the National Archives of Japan, and the Science Museum, where you can experience cutting-edge technology—making it a great mix of history and innovation.

Because Edo Castle’s Nishinomaru is now the Imperial Palace, you can only see it by joining a free Imperial Palace guided tour.
The tour starts at Kikyo-mon Gate and takes you with a guide to key spots you don’t usually get to see, including Fujimi Yagura, the front of the Imperial Household Agency building, and Nijubashi Bridge.
If you’re not sure which Edo Castle sights to prioritize, the Imperial Palace tour is a great option.