Tokyo Private Tour: Imperial Palace East Gardens&Edo Castle Ruins

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura

  As one of the few remaining three-story keeps from the original Edo Castle, this striking white watchtower showcases the pinnacle of traditional fortress design. Its strategic location at the corner of the moat allowed samurai to monitor the castle's surroundings, serving as both a defensive lookout and a secure armory. Today, its brilliant white walls reflecting off the water provide a stunning contrast to the nearby business district, making it one of the most iconic photo spots in the Imperial Palace grounds.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Ōte-mon Gate (Gate to the East Gardens)

  As the former main gate of Edo Castle, this historic landmark was once the dignified entrance where powerful samurai lords (daimyo) arrived to meet the Shogun. Today, it serves as the majestic gateway to the Imperial Palace East Garden, welcoming visitors with its towering stone walls and impressive traditional architecture. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s modern skyscrapers, it offers a perfect photo opportunity where Japan's feudal past and vibrant present seamlessly meet.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse

  These surviving guardhouses and gate sites reveal the formidable security system of Edo Castle, once patrolled 24/7 by elite samurai and legendary units like the "Hundred-Man Guard." As you walk the path from the Doshin Bansho to the inner Chujakumon Gate, you will encounter massive 45-meter-long barracks and some of the largest stone masonry in the entire castle grounds. Exploring these historic remains allows you to experience the same sense of awe and tension felt by feudal lords centuries ago as they approached the heart of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s power.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Fujimi-yagura

  As the only surviving three-story keep of Edo Castle, this elegant structure served as the castle's main symbol after the original central tower was lost to fire. Known as the "All-Sides-Front" tower due to its perfectly symmetrical design from every angle, it is famously named for the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji that the Shogun himself once enjoyed from its windows.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  This meticulously crafted 1:50 scale model recreates the majestic central keep of the Kan'ei era, allowing you to admire the intricate gold ornaments and imposing black walls of what was once Japan's tallest castle tower. It offers a unique opportunity to visualize the legendary stronghold that once dominated the Tokyo skyline as the ultimate symbol of the Tokugawa Shogunate's power.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin

  This massive stone platform once supported the tallest castle tower in Japanese history and was a symbol of power that dominated the city's skyline. After the castle tower was destroyed in a great fire in 1657, the platform remained in its current form. Now used as a scenic spot, it offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views where the castle's ancient history intertwines with the modern skyscrapers of the Marunouchi district.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  Reconstructed based on historical blueprints from the Edo period, this traditional "stroll-style" garden offers a serene escape with seasonal flowers and lush landscapes that once graced the Shogun’s secondary residence. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful scenery of colorful koi fish swimming in the central pond and a unique collection of symbolic trees from every prefecture in Japan, making it a perfect sanctuary where history and nature harmoniously intertwine.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The tour does not go inside the Imperial Palace.

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