Kokyo Higashi-Gyeon (皇居東御苑), or the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, used to be the very core part of Edo Castle. Unfortunately, most of the buildings are now lost and what remains are only several peripheral buildings.
Tatsumi Yagura on Kikyo-bori MoatOtemon Gate (east side)Otemon Gate (inside)
If you go through the Otemon Gate, there is also a small museum called Sannomaru Shozo-kan which houses arts which were once possessed privately by the Imperial family but now belong to the state.
Ote-bori MoatHirakawamon Gate (north side)Hirakawamon Gate (inside)Hirakawamon Gate (south side)Tenjin-bori MoatShimizu-bori MoatHirakawa-bori MoatHirakawa-bori MoatKitahanebashimon GateInui-bori MoatHigashi-Gyoen from a hotel windowDoshin-bansho GuardhouseHyakunin-bansho GuardhouseRuins of Nakanomon GateOh-bansho GuardhouseRuins of Chujakumon GateFujimi Yagura (back side)Honmaru HirobaFujimi-tamon (back side)Foundations of Tenshu-kaku (keep)Model of Daijogu palace displayed in Honmaru Resthouse
Daijogu is a temporary palace built and used only for a ceremony called Daijo-sai (the Great Thanksgiving Festival) which last for several days. Daijo-sai is one of the ceremonies conducted when the enthronement of an emperor takes place. When this ceremony ends, Daijogu gets destroyed at once. This ritual had been conducted in Kyoto even after the Imperial family moved to Tokyo but when the present emperor got enthroned, it was done here for the first time.
Sight of Ninomaru seen from HonmaruRuins of Shiomizakamon GateShiratori-bori MoatBairin-zaka SlopeNinomaru GardenSuwa no Chaya Tea House
Kokyo Higashi-Gyoen
Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours 9AM-5PM (-4:30PM Mar 1-Apr14 & Sep-Oct, -4PM Nov-Feb); admission free; closed Mon(next day instead if holiday), Fri (open if holiday), Dec 23, Dec 28-Jan 3