Kōkyo-gaien Plaza

Tokyo


This wide grassy expanse, in the southeast corner of Kōkyo-gaien, has roughly 2000 immaculately maintained Japanese black pine trees that were planted in the late 19th century. Walk as close as you can to the Imperial Palace for the famous view of the two bridges: Megane-bashi and Nijū-bashi.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tokyo attractions

1. Megane-bashi

0.18 MILES

Meaning 'Eyeglass Bridge', this stone bridge from 1888, which can be viewed from the Kōkyo-gaien Plaza, is so nicknamed because its support arches…

2. Iwaida-bashi

0.19 MILES

This bridge provides access to the south of the Kōkyo-gaien Plaza from Hibiya.

3. Sakurada-mon

0.23 MILES

Built in 1636 (and partially restored after the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923), this is one of the Imperial Palace gates that was part of the original…

4. Nijū-bashi

0.24 MILES

This metal bridge, built in 1888 and within the grounds of the Imperial Palace, was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which its name (meaning…

5. Idemitsu Museum of Arts

0.28 MILES

This museum's excellent collection of Japanese art is sprinkled with Chinese and Korean pottery and a few stray Western pieces – the result of the…

6. Kikyō-mon

0.28 MILES

Kikyō-mon is one of the main original gates to Edo-jō. This is the departure point for official tours of parts of the Imperial Palace grounds.

7. Fushimi-yagura

0.29 MILES

This keep, constructed in 1559, once stood on the grounds of Kyoto's since-destroyed Fushimi Castle. It was dismantled and reassembled at Edo-jō by…

8. Mitsubishi Ichigōkan Museum

0.32 MILES

Housed in a handsome reproduction of the area’s first office building (designed in 1894 by English architect Josiah Conder), this museum showcases…