Introduction The Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan, located in Chiyoda Ward at the heart of Tokyo. It was constructed in the 18th year of the Tensho era (1590 AD) by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. This traditional Japanese structure spans an area of 23,000 square meters, featuring green-tiled roofs, white walls, and tea-brown…
Introduction Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s largest museum, located at the northern end of Ueno Park in Taito, Tokyo. It was established in the 4th year of the Meiji era (1871), and its current buildings were completed in 1938. It consists of a two-story building in traditional Japanese architectural style, with the Hyokeikan on the right, the Toyokan on the left, and the Horyuji Homotsukan near the main gate...
The Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It was originally a castle built by the Edo shogunate in 1457 and did not become the imperial residence until 1888. The palace complex is surrounded by a vast moat. Nijubashi Bridge is located right in front of the main gate of the Imperial Palace. Due to the depth of the moat water and the low elevation of the original bridge, a second bridge was built on top of the first, hence the name Nijubashi (…
Tokyo International Forum is a large public comprehensive cultural facility located in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, and serves as one of the venues for international conferences in Tokyo. It is managed and operated by Tokyo International Forum Co., Ltd. In the initial design phase of the Tokyo International Forum Center building, Japan adopted criteria based on guidelines from the International Union of Architects to hold an…
The Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre is located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and is a stage theater operated directly by the Takarazuka Revue. The theatre officially opened in 1934, but was demolished in 1997 due to reconstruction. The current Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre was reopened on January 1, 2001. The Takarazuka Revue is a major Japanese...
Hibiya Park is located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, and is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, a foundation under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Construction Bureau. Established in 1903, the park spans a total area of 161,636.66 square meters. It is a Western-style modern urban park built according to Japan’s first city plan and is also one of the most important parks in Chiyoda...
The Nippon Budokan is located in Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. It was originally built as the venue for the judo competition during the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Today, it serves as a major hall for promoting traditional martial arts and the cultivation of mind and body in Japan. The annual National Memorial Service for War Dead on August 15 (the date of Japan’s surrender in World War II) is also held here, attended by both the Emperor and the Prime Minister.
Tōshō-gū is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founding shōgun of the last feudal military government in Japan—the Edo Shogunate. After coming to power, Ieyasu conquered various feudal domains by force and unified the entire country. After his death, he was revered as the guardian deity of the Edo Shogunate, known as Tōshō Daigongen, and the shrine built in his honor is called Tōshō-gū. There are many Tōshō-gū shrines across Japan, among which the most...
The Old Iwasaki Residence Garden is located in Taitō Ward, Tokyo, covering an area of 17,000 square meters. Historically, it boasted 20 luxurious buildings with a total floor space exceeding 49,000 square meters. Part of this historical garden follows the style of daimyo gardens, featuring a grass garden that preserves the early form of modern gardens—a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western elements,…
The National Museum of Western Art is located in Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo, and officially opened to the public in June 1959. It is Japan's only museum dedicated exclusively to the display of Western artworks and the country’s sole national institution dedicated to the development of Western art. The museum is committed to providing the Japanese people with a place to appreciate and learn about Western art...
Kan'ei-ji Temple is located in Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. It serves as the head temple of the Tendai sect in the Kantō region and primarily enshrines Yakushi Nyorai (the Buddha of Healing). The temple houses three wooden statues of Yakushi Nyorai, which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. Founded by Tokugawa Iemitsu and constructed in 1625 by its first head priest, Tenkai, it...
Ueno Imperial Gift Zoo is located in Ueno, Taitō, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. Established in 1882, it is the oldest and most famous zoo in Japan. Combining leisure and sightseeing, wildlife conservation, and public education, it is a pioneer in the Japanese zoo industry and has received widespread acclaim from visitors across the country. Ueno Imperial Gift Zoo…
Introduction Located by the Sumida River in Asakusa, Ueno Park is world-renowned for the "Cherry Blossoms of Mukojima" from the Edo period, historically praised as "a ten-mile embankment with blossoms like clouds." Over 700 cherry blossom trees line both banks of the Sumida River, stretching over 1 kilometer. The view of the cherry blossoms on both sides of the river is particularly spectacular when seen from Sakurabashi Bridge...
Introduction Senso-ji Temple is located in Taito Ward, Tokyo, and is a surviving example of an “Edo-style” public entertainment site in Japan. Legend has it that in the 36th year of Empress Suiko’s reign (628 AD), two fishermen caught a 5.5-centimeter-tall golden statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Kannon) while fishing in the Miyato River. The local residents pooled their money to build a...
Nakamise Shopping Street, the stone-paved path from Kaminarimon to Hozomon, is a must-pass route for worshippers visiting the Kannon statue, and is the famous “Nakamise” street. It is one of Tokyo’s most bustling shopping streets. Like many other commercial districts in Japan such as Dotonbori, the street is covered with a transparent roof spanning the entire block, protecting visitors from wind…
Asakusa Hanayashiki is located near Asakusa in Taito Ward, Tokyo, and has a history dating back to 1853, making it Japan's oldest amusement park. The park covers an area of 5,800 square meters, which, while not very large, is packed with fun and makes for a great family outing. Asakusa Hanayashiki features multiple themed play areas and...
The southernmost Tongatapu Island is the most bustling and largest island in Tonga, covering about one-third of the country's land area. Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the capital Nuku'alofa located on this island. Covering a total area of 259 square kilometers, Tongatapu is Tonga’s…
The Vava’u Islands (vava’uislands) are an island group in the northern part of the Kingdom of Tonga, located in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The Vava’u Islands consist of 34 islands, including Vava’u, covering a land area of 115 square kilometers with a population of 13,000. Among them, Vava’u Island is the largest, with a land area of 89 square kilometers, …
On the outskirts of Nukuʻalofa, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga, there stands a three-stone structure called “HAMOAGA.” It is said to be the archway of an ancient royal palace, built by the ancient Tongans using massive stones transported from Wallis Island on large outrigger canoes. Legend has it that this structure was built around the year 1200 AD, during the reign of Tui Tonga, the king who ruled over the various Tongan tribes at the time. Since then, the Kingdom of Tonga has endured many trials, including the Tui Haʻa Takalaua dynasty, the Tuʻi Kanokupolu dynasty, and the current Tupou dynasty. Yet, this majestic and victorious symbol—the Three Stone Pillars (HAMOAGA)—has remained standing through it all, silently witnessing the ups and downs of Tongan history. It is a 5-meter-high triumphal arch constructed from three volcanic rocks. In ancient times, kings were required to pass through this gate before going to war, and only then could they return in victory. It also served as a watchtower. The Three Stone Pillars are known as one of the first places in the world to greet the sunrise, attracting many visitors each year who come to witness this breathtaking moment.
Tonga has a history of over 1,000 years, and its culture once influenced other surrounding island nations. Visiting the Victorian-style Tonga Royal Palace in the capital, Nukuʻalofa, is an essential activity for every traveler. The Tonga Royal Palace was built in 1867 by George...