Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fujimi-yagura
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The finest of the fortress's remaining watchtowers is the three-tiered
Fujimi-yagura
,
built in 1659 to protect the main citadel's southern flank. These days it rises above the
Higashi Gyoen
like a miniature version of the old castle itself, standing clear above the
trees to the north of the Imperial Plaza.
1
Up to Honmaru
Retrace your steps from Fujimi-yagura and bank to the left; by following the
gentle uphill path you'll soon be beneath the walls of the main Edo Castle citadel.
The path then climbs more steeply towards
Shiomizaka
, the Tide-Viewing Slope,
from where it was once possible to gaze out over Edo Bay rather than the
concrete blocks of Ōtemachi. You emerge on a flat grassy area, empty apart from
the stone foundations of
Honmaru
(the “inner citadel”), with fine views from the
top, and a scattering of modern edifices, among them the bizarre, mosaic-clad
Imperial Music Hall
. Designed by Imai Kenji, the hall commemorates the sixtieth
birthday of the (then) empress in 1963 and is used for occasional performances of
court music.
Kitanomaru-kōen
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• North entrance off Yasukuni-dōri • 24hr • Free • Kudanshita or Takebashi stations
Edo Castle's old northern citadel is now occupied by the park of
Kitanomaru-kōen
.
With its ninety-odd cherry trees, it's a popular viewing spot come
hanami
time, while
rowing boats can be rented in warmer months on
Chidoriga-fuchi
, an ancient pond
once incorporated into Edo Castle's moat. These natural pleasures aside, the park is
also home to a couple of interesting museums - the
National Museum of Modern Art
to
the south, and the
Crafts Gallery
to the west.
National Museum of Modern Art
ࠃཱۙඒज़ؗ
, Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan • Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri until 8pm • ¥420 •
T
03 5777 8600,
W
www.momat.go.jp
Located on the southern perimeter of the park is the
National Museum of Modern Art
.
Its excellent collection showcases Japanese art since 1900, including Gyokudo Kawai's
magnificent screen painting
Parting Spring
and works by Kishida Ryusei, Fujita
Tsuguharu and postwar artists such as Yoshihara Jiro.
Crafts Gallery
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, Kōgeikan • Daily 10am-5pm • ¥200; usually ¥500 for special exhibitions •
T
03 5777 8600,
W
www.momat.go.jp
Tucked away on the west side of Kitanomaru-kōen, the
Crafts Gallery
exhibits a
selection of top-quality traditional Japanese craft works, many by modern masters.
Erected in 1910 as the headquarters of the Imperial Guards, this neo-Gothic
red-brick pile is one of very few Tokyo buildings dating from before the Great
Earthquake of 1923.
Budōkan
ಓؗ
he
Budōkan
hall was built in 1964 to host Olympic judo events. The design, with its
graceful, curving roof and gold topknot, pays homage to a famous octagonal hall at
Hōryū-ji temple in Nara, near Kyoto, though the shape is also supposedly inspired by
that of Mount Fuji. Today the huge arena is used for sports meetings, graduation
ceremonies and, most famously, big-name rock concerts.
