[National Treasure Akasaka State Guest House] Feel like a VIP and tour a real palace

The State Guest House was built in 1909 as the Crown Prince's Palace on the site of the former Kishu Tokugawa family residence. It was built with the combined efforts of top architects and artisans of the time, and the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, the main garden fountain, the east and west barracks, and the main gate are designated as national treasures. It is the only Western-style palace in Japan in the neo-baroque style, and is the place where kings, presidents, prime ministers, and other dignitaries from around the world are welcomed to Japan. You can actually visit the State Guest House without making a reservation. You only have to check your belongings, and you don't even need to show any identification. The garden from the national treasure main gate to the main building is the front garden, which is the largest square and offers a panoramic view of the entire main building. There are also food trucks and other attractions, so you can enjoy a light meal while looking at the main building. It's not very crowded, so you can spend a relaxing time in Tokyo. You can go all the way to the entrance of the main building, and the iron door at the front entrance has a chrysanthemum flower engraved on the top and a paulownia crest engraved in the center. On the roof of the building is a warrior clad in armor, perhaps symbolizing Japan in a Western-style building (it feels a bit odd). There is also a celestial globe and four sacred birds on display. Behind the main building is the main garden, where there is a fountain pond, a national treasure. The fountain has a cool griffin with the upper body of an eagle and the lower body of a lion. You can also tour the inside of the main building (however, photography is usually prohibited inside the building). You can visit the Asahi Room, Sairan Room, Hagoromo Room, Kacho Room, and other rooms. The rooms are decorated with first-class decorations that are named after them, making it a true palace. It is great that the public can freely tour the building. Reservations are required to enter the Japanese-style annex, so next time I visit I would like to make a reservation in advance. Opening hours: 10am-5pm Closed: Every Wednesday Admission fee: Gardens and main building: 1,500 yen Gardens only: 300 yen Gardens, main building and Japanese-style annex: 2,000 yen (reservations required) Access: 7 minutes walk from Yotsuya Station Entry: State Guest House, West Gate (main gate is used for exit) #Furitabi #nationaltreasure #State Guest House #Akasaka State Guest House #palace #baroque architecture #fountain #visit