Under Yaezakura Cherry Blossoms

Yoshino cherry (Somei-yoshino) blossoms have already finished in Tokyo.
But Yaezakura cherry blossoms are nice to view now.
I took these photos in Imperial palace plaza today.
And I enjoyed walking under those cherry blossoms.

(Note)
These photos were taken on April 19, 2011.

Iris Japonica

We call this flower "Shaga".
It blooms in spring.
I took these photos in Ninomaru garden of Higashi Gyoen ( The East Gardens of Imperial Palace ).

(Note)
These photos were taken on April 3 , 2010.

Swan at heart of Tokyo

I took this photo in the Imperial palace plaza.

You can see swan sailing in the moat.
This moat was an outer moat of former Edo castle.

And you can see buildings in a business district over there.

(Note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Uchibori-dori at Imperial Palace Plaza

Uchibori-dori(street) surrounds Imperial palace.

I took these photos in Imperial palace plaza.

In week end, many people run along the street.

In the second photo, you can see Tokyo tower over there.

(Note)

These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Sakashita Mon (Gate)

Sakashita mon(gate) was a gate of former Edo castle.
In the present, it is an entrance of Imperial palace.
This tree is Japanese black pine.
You might have seen it as bonsai (miniature potted tree).


(Note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Soto Sakurada Mon (Gate)

Soto sakurada mon was a gate of former Edo castle.
In the present, It is an entrance of Imperial palace plaza.
So we can go through the gate freely.
We usually call the gate just "sakurada mon".

(Note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Nijyu-bashi

This bridge (photo above) is made of stone.
It leads to the main gate of Imperial palace from Imperial palace plaza.
You can see fushimi-turret of former Edo castle over the bridge.

And there are another bridge over this moat.
It is behind this bridge.



This bridge is made of iron.
It leads to inside of imperial palace from main gate.
We usually call those two bridges "Nijyu-bashi"
But originally "nijyu-bashi" indicate this iron bridge.


(Note)
These phtos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Statue in Imperial Palace Plaza

This is a statue of Kusunoki Masashige.
Kusunoki Masashige(1294-1336) was a brave and wise samurai.
He fought for Emperror Go-daigo.
Later, he has been respected by people as a samurai of high integrity.

(Note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Uchibori

Edo castle was surrounded by double moats.
"Uchi-bori" means inner moats.
I took these photos in Imperial palace plaza.



(note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Kikyo Mon (Gate)

I took this photo in Imperial palace plaza.

Kikyo mon (gate) was a gate of former Edo castle.

In the present, it is a gate of Imperial palace.

"Kikyo" means bellflower.

In Edo Era, this gate was for important vassala of Tokugawa shogun.

(Note)

These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Tatsumi Yagura

It was a turret of former Edo castle.
This two story turret is called "Tatsumi yagura".
"yagura" means turret.
You can see it from Imperial palace plaza.

(Note)
These photos were taken on March 7 , 2009.

Imperial Palace Plaza

Imperial palace plaza is a park which is located out side of the Imperial palace.
And it is next to East garden of the Imperial palace.
This park is near to Tokyo station.

Many pine trees are planted in the large park.
And you can see many architectures of former Edo castle such as gates, bridges, moats and turrets.
Because Imperial palace is located on the site of former Edo castle which was residence of Tokugawa shogun in Edo Era.







(Note)
These photos were taken March , 7 , 2009.