Edo Castle

Edo Castle

Edo Castle is a castle located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, also known as Chiyoda Castle. It was first built in 1457 (the first year of the Chōroku era) and once served as the residence of the shoguns of the Edo shogunate. From 1868 (the first year of the Meiji era), the new government took over the castle, and three years later the Emperor moved in. It was renamed the Imperial Palace in 1948.

Edo Castle is designated as a “Special Historic Site” by the Japanese government. It is vast in scale, covering an area of 2.64 million square meters, and features 36 gates, 20 watchtowers, as well as multiple palace complexes including the Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, and Nishinomaru. At its largest, it had a six-story tenshu (main keep). Though greatly changed after hundreds of years, today’s Edo Castle remains one of Japan’s most beautiful historic castles: it is planted with 260 valuable trees from all 47 prefectures across Japan, lush and green, complementing palaces rich in traditional Japanese architectural style—classic, serene, dignified, and elegant.

Nowadays, the northern part of Edo Castle, known as Kitanomaru, has been turned into a national park. The park contains numerous remnants of the old Edo Castle, along with towering pine and cypress trees and spacious, well-kept lawns, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxing time.

Edo Castle

Must-visit reason: Japan’s most majestic and elegant historic castle

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Japan

Province/State where the attraction is located: Tokyo Metropolis

City where the attraction is located: Chiyoda