The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the imperial palace of Japan and the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo and is close to Tokyo Station. It is roughly the size of Central Park, which has an area of 3.41 squared kilometers. After the Meiji Restoration and the resignation of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Tokugawa shogun, the Imperial court moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and the former Tokugawa stronghold of Edo castle became the residence of the emperor (the Kyoto Imperial Palace was preserved). From 1888 to 1948, it was called (“palace castle”). The palace precincts include the Three Palace Sanctuaries. The original palace was not constructed on the grounds of the Shogun’s palace, today the area of the East Garden. The palace was greatly damaged during World War II. The modern structures were built in the 1960′s in a modernist style with clear Japanese architectural references. The buildings of the Imperial Palace were constructed by the Takenaka Corporation. If you find yourself in Tokyo, visit this tourist spot. Add it to your sightseeing tour.
Travel direction: 35° 41′ 5.11″ N, 139° 45′ 8.85″ E
