新澳门开奖结果

Imperial Palace Tokyo Japan – by D Ramey Logan –

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Referred to as K艒kyo in Japanese (which translates to Imperial Residence), the Tokyo Imperial Palace is the main residence of Japan鈥檚 Emperor. It is located in the Chiyoda ward in Tokyo.

The building of the palace was completed in 1888 after a fire had destroyed the Nishinomaru palace in 1873. The Tokyo Imperial Palace is built like a park on the site where the old Edo Castle was with several buildings in its compound.

These buildings include the Emperor’s living quarters, administrative offices, museums and archives, more imperial family residences, and the main palace where ceremonies are held. The palace covers an area of 0.44 square miles (1.15 square kilometers).

1. The Tokyo Imperial Palace Is Built Where Another Castle Existed

In 1457, the construction of an immense fortification, the Edo castle, began in Edo City. Tokyo was known as Edo City back then. Over the years, many structures in this castle were destroyed by earthquakes, wars, or fires. For example, the 鈥渄onjon鈥�, also known as the 鈥渒eep鈥�, was destroyed in 1657 during the Great Meiriki fire.

The Nishinomaru Palace was destroyed in 1873 due to fires and saw to the construction of the Tokyo Imperial Palace as we know it today. Although most of the buildings were destroyed, three buildings from the original Edo Castle stand to date.

Of these three, the most prominent one is known as the Fujimi-Yagura, which was completed in 1659 after the main keep of the Edo Castle was destroyed.

2. The Tokyo Imperial Palace Went by A Different Name

From 1888 to 1948, the Tokyo Imperial Palace was known by name as the Imperial Castle. After World War II ended, it was renamed the Imperial Residence or K艒kyo in Japanese.

3. The Tokyo Imperial Palace was destroyed in 1945

Aerial view of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Japan, circa in late August 1945 – by U.S. Navy –

One of the many consequences of the most devastating bombing in human history was the destruction of many structures and buildings in the Imperial Residence. On the night of 25th May 1945, a coordinated firebombing raid was conducted on Tokyo.

A special mission was sent to specifically target the Imperial Palace on that night and therefore several buildings were destroyed and only a few survived the attack. Due to the immense damage caused by these targeted bombings, the building of new structures began in the 1960s.

Construction of the complex ended in 1968. The new structures were made of reinforced concrete and steel frames. The structures were produced locally and the buildings were done in modernist style with clear Japanese architectural references.

4. The Stone Bridges Date Back to the Meiji Period

The Stone Bridge in the Tokyo Imperial Palace – by Fg2 –

Between 1868 to 1912, the era known as the Meiji Period, the structures from the Edo Castle were improved or replaced with better and stronger buildings. One of the impressive and fascinating structures in this palace from this era is the infamous stone and iron bridges over the moat.

This bridge replaced the original wooden bridges that were built when Edo Castle was built.

5. The Tokyo Imperial Palace Has Six Wings

The Ch艒waden Reception Hall in the Tokyo Imperial Palace – by D Ramey Logan –

The Tokyo Imperial Palace complex is large and consists of six wings. These include the Emperor鈥檚 work office, the Chigusa Chidori Drawing Room, the Rensui Dinning, the Chowaden Reception Hall, the Homeiden State Banquet Hall, and the Seiden State Function Hall.

There are also several halls such as the Kita-Damari, the Take-no-Ma, the Matsu-no-Ma, Ume-no-Ma, Kaede, and the Shunju-no-Ma.

The Matsu-no-Ma is the throne room and the Emperor uses it to provide an audience to the Prime Minister as well as make administrative decisions such as appointing and sacking state ministers and ambassadors.

6. The Largest Building in the Tokyo Imperial Palace is Small

The “Chuadden Reception Hall”, which was completed in the 1960s is the largest structure in the entire Imperial Palace Complex. However, despite being the largest building in the complex, it is not that big when compared to the extravagant size of some of the world’s most famous palaces, such as Versailles Palace or Buckingham Palace!

This building is used by the emperor and his family mostly on new year鈥檚 day or the emperor鈥檚 birthday.

7. There Are 230 Different Tree Species in One of the Gardens for A Reason

In the East gardens is the so-called Ninomaru Garden, a small lawn that was established in 1636 but completely renovated and changed in 1968 during the Palace rebuilds.

What is so special about this garden is the collection of 230 different tree species in the garden. Why 230 you ask?

Japan is made up of 230 prefectures (districts). These prefectures donated 230 different types of trees which were planted in the garden. This makes the entire garden a symbolic representation of the entire country.

8. The East Part of the Palaces Complex Was Turned into A Park in 1968

The East Gardens – by D Ramey Logan –

When the large-scale rebuilding project was completed in 1968, there were several changes made to the palace. One of these changes is that the entire eastern section of the compound was remodeled and turned into a public park.

This park is called the 鈥淓ast Gardens鈥� and covers over 210,000 square meters (2,300,000 square feet). This park and the Imperial Household Agency, are the only two regions that are open to the public in the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

9. Visitors Are Allowed in the Inner Ground Only on Specific Days

Imperial Household Agency – by nattou –

The inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace are open for public visitation on only two days a year. That is, January 2nd and December 23rd for the new year鈥檚 greetings and the Emperor鈥檚 birthday respectively.

However, as with any imperial ground, visitation is not prohibited but instead conducted through arranged guided tours. These tours have to be registered in advance at the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho).

10. The Current Imperial Residence in The Tokyo Imperial Palace Was Completed In 1993

Although the majority of the structures in the compound date from the 1960s, the Emperor and Empress’ real palace was only constructed in 1993.

The 鈥淔ukiage 艑miya Palace鈥� is a private mansion located in the “Fukiage Garden,” a separate region within the compound that is only open to the public on rare occasions.

The Emperor and his family did not always live here permanently since they would occasionally relocate to the majestic Akasaka Palace, one of Japan’s two official state guest houses, during building periods.