The East National Gardens of the Imperial Palace: A Historic Garden Displaying Edo-Period Ambiance

The East National Gardens of the Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Tokyo, are open to the public and offer a beautiful garden space that was once the site of the main circle, Otemon, and Ninomaru of Edo Castle. Today, it serves as a place of rest and enjoyment of nature and history for Tokyo residents and tourists alike. The garden features several attractions worth visiting, including: - **Ninomaru Garden**: This is a traditional Japanese garden with beautiful ponds, stone bridges, and meticulously trimmed trees. In spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the area becomes a sea of pink flowers, attracting a large number of visitors for hanami (flower viewing). - **Hyakunin-bansho**: This historical building was once the barracks for the guards during the Edo period. The structure is well-preserved and showcases the architectural style and way of life of that time. - **Otemon Gate Ruins**: The Otemon Gate was the main gate of Edo Castle. The ruins have preserved parts of the walls and stone bridges, allowing visitors to imagine the grandeur of the castle gate in the past.