Outline

Kokyo Gaien National Garden is a park in central Tokyo, covering a little over a square kilometer. The national garden includes three museums and is popular with people for its fascinating history and natural environment. The grounds ring the Imperial Palace, residence of the emperor, and include a landscaped plaza in front of the palace, 12 moats, and Kitanomaru Garden. These grounds were all once part of Edo Castle, originally built in 1457. Its moats as well as several gates, bridges, watchtowers, and impressive stone walls remain. Many are designated Special Historic Sites and Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

The castle was built during a time of conflict and political upheaval. It was constructed to protect Kamakura, the headquarters of the shogunate of the time, south of modern-day Tokyo. The Tokugawa shogunate, the feudal government that ruled the country from 1603 to 1867, expanded the castle making it the largest such stronghold ever built in Japan.

Over the centuries, Edo Castle was damaged by fire time and again. A fire in 1873 burned most of the castle to the ground. From 1874 to 1945, Kitanomaru Garden was occupied by the Imperial Guard.

Whole Map

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Visit

Kokyo Gaien area Kitanomaru Garden area Kokyo Gaien Moats

Information

If you have any questions, please contact any of the following National Garden Offices.

Kokyo Gaien area
Office : Kokyogaien National Garden Office
Adress : 1-1 Kokyogaien, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0002
Phone : 03-(3213)-0095
Kitanomaru Garden area
Office : Kitanomaru Garden Office
Address : 1-1 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0091
Phone : 03-(3211)-7878
Bus Parking and Rest House
Office : National Gardens Association Kokyogaien
Adress : 1-1 Kokyogaien, Chiyada-ku, Tokyo 100-0002
Phone : 03-(3213)-5509

Regulations for Visitors

Permission is required for :

  1. 1) Commercial sales and distribution.
  2. 2) Taking pictures for the business purposes.
  3. 3) Holding meeting or demonstrations.
  4. 4) Jogging or marathons in groups of over 20 people.

Prohibitions

  1. 1) To collect or damage any plants.
  2. 2) To catch or kill any birds, fish or animals.
  3. 3) Carring dangerous materials or instruments which may cause harm people or damage the gardens or the wildlife.
  4. 4) Use of play equipment and all sports activities except jogging or marathons.
  5. 5) Collecting any financial donations.
  6. 6) Any other form of behavior which is not considered suitable in the National Garden.
  7. 7) Smoking includeing e-cigarettes