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The Empire of Japan, [c] also referred to as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation-state [d] that existed from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 until the enactment of the reformed Constitution of Japan in 1947. [8]
Tokyo became one of the world's most active major cities, boasting attractions such as cutting-edge technology, information, culture, and fashion, as well as a high level of public safety. From 1986 onwards, land and stock prices spiraled upwards, a phenomenon known as the "bubble economy."
The history of Tokyo, Japan 's capital prefecture and largest city, starts with archeological remains in the area dating back around 5,000 years. Tokyo's oldest temple is possibly Sensō-ji in Asakusa, founded in 628. The city's original name, Edo, first appears in the 12th century.
- History
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- Kōkyo-Gaien
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Edo castle
After the capitulation of the shogunate and the Meiji Restoration, the inhabitants, including the Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu, were required to vacate the premises of the Edo Castle. Leaving the Kyoto Imperial Palace on 26 November 1868, the Emperor arrived at the Edo Castle, made it to his new residence and renamed it to Tōkei Castle(東京城, Tōkei-jō). At this time, Tōkyō had also been called Tōkei. He left for Kyōto again, and after coming back on 9 May 1869, it was renamed to Imperial Castle(皇城...
The old palace
In the Meiji period, most structures from the Edo Castle disappeared. Some were cleared to make way for other buildings, while others were destroyed by earthquakes and fire. For example, the wooden double bridges(二重橋, Nijūbashi) over the moat were replaced with stone and iron bridges. The buildings of the Imperial Palace constructed in the Meiji era were constructed of wood. Their design employed traditional Japanese architecture in their exterior appearance while the interiors were an eclect...
Present palace
The present Imperial Palace encompasses the retrenchments of the former Edo Castle. The modern Kyūden(宮殿) designed for various imperial court functions and receptions is located in the old Nishinomaru section of the palace grounds. On a much more modest scale, the Fukiage Palace(吹上御所, Fukiage gosho), the official residence of the Emperor and empress, is located in the Fukiage Garden. Designed by Japanese architect Shōzō Uchii the modern residence was completed in 1993. This residence is curre...
Kyūden
The Imperial Palace(宮殿, Kyūden) and the headquarters of the Imperial Household Agency are located in the former Nishinomaru enceinte (West Citadel) of the Edo Castle. The main buildings of the palace grounds, including the Kyūden(宮殿) main palace, home of the liaison conference of the Imperial General Headquarters, were severely damaged by the fire of May 1945. Today's palace consists of multiple modern structures that are interconnected. The palace complex was finished in 1968 and was constru...
Fukiage Garden
The Fukiage Garden has carried the name since the Edo period and is used as the residential area for the Imperial Family. The Fukiage Palace(吹上御所, Fukiage gosho), achieved in 1993, was used as the primary residence of Akihito from December 8, 1993, to March 2020. After a period of refurbishment, Naruhito, Masako and Aikomoved in in September 2021. The Fukiage Ōmiya Palace(吹上大宮御所, Fukiage Ōmiya-gosho) in the northern section was originally the residence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kōjun and w...
The East Gardens is where most of the administrative buildings for the palace are located and encompasses the former Honmaru and Ninomaru areas of Edo Castle, a total of 210,000 m2 (2,300,000 sq ft). Located on the grounds of the East Gardens is the Imperial Tokagakudo Music Hall, the Music Department of the Board of Ceremonies of the Imperial Hous...
The Kitanomaru Park is located to the north and is the former northern enceinte of Edo Castle. It is a public park and is the site of Nippon Budokan Hall. This garden contains a bronze monument to Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa(北白川宮能久親王, Kitashirakawa-no-miya Yoshihisa-shinnō).
The Kokyo Gaien National Garden consists of outer gardens that ring the Imperial Palace. It contain bronze monuments to Kusunoki Masashige(楠木正成) and to Wake no Kiyomaro(和気清麻呂).
The Imperial Palace and the Imperial Household AgencyOte-mon gate and main entrance to the East GardenImperial Palace moat and guard towerImperial Palace front entrance field with Chiyoda office buildings in the backgroundJul 23, 2024 · Empire of Japan, historical Japanese empire founded on January 3, 1868, when supporters of the emperor Meiji overthrew Yoshinobu, the last Tokugawa shogun. Power would remain nominally vested in the throne until the defeat of Japan in World War II and the enactment of Japan’s postwar constitution on May 3, 1947.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Jul 26, 2024 · Tokyo, city and capital of Tokyo ‘to’ (metropolis) and of Japan. It is located at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu. It is the focus of the vast metropolitan area often called Greater Tokyo, the largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan.
Visit the home of Japan's Imperial family. Tucked away behind moats and thick stone walls, the residence and offices of the Emperor of Japan occupy an enviable spot in central Tokyo.
