The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda offer three distinct ways to explore: cherry varieties on Sakura no Shima, the reconstruction of the Ninomaru Garden, and preserved traces of the site’s former role as a castle. These themes do not offer the same experience. The cherry blossoms draw attention to a bloom that changes with the seasons; for the Ninomaru Garden, the historical plan used as its model is important, while Ote-mon Gate and the guardhouses illustrate the former function of Edo Castle. You can therefore choose your focus by distinguishing between garden variety, garden design, and castle history.

Cherry Varieties on Sakura no Shima

There are about 30 cherry varieties in the East Gardens. Roughly half of them can be seen in the area known as Sakura no Shima. The two figures therefore refer to different scopes: the number of varieties applies to the East Gardens as a whole, while the approximate proportion applies to the named area. Bloom times vary by season. If you are planning a visit to Chiyoda specifically to see the cherry blossoms, you should therefore plan your dates flexibly; the number of varieties does not indicate a fixed blooming period.

The Ninomaru Garden and Its Historical Plan

The Ninomaru Garden raises a different question: how can its design be understood in historical context? It is a strolling garden, reconstructed based on a garden plan from the time of the ninth shogun, Ieshige. The garden type and the specific plan used as its model are related, but they are two distinct details: “strolling garden” describes the type, while the plan points to the basis for the reconstruction. So the focus of this garden is not seasonal blooms, but the connection between its design and the named historical model. Compared with Sakura no Shima, this is a clear shift in theme—from cherry varieties and changing blooms to garden design with historical significance.

Ote-mon Gate and the Guardhouses of Edo Castle

Ote-mon Gate adds another layer: it served as the main gate of Edo Castle and was used by the feudal lords who resided at the castle under the Tokugawa shogunate’s alternate attendance system. The gate is thus placed in its historical context both through its function and its connection to this system. Three guardhouses of Edo Castle have also been preserved in the East Gardens: Doshin-bansho, Hyakunin-bansho, and O-bansho. They served as checkpoints. Their roles can be distinguished briefly: Ote-mon was the main gate, while the three guardhouses were checkpoints. Together, these places point to different functions of the castle and complement the garden perspective with its historical use.

Paths and Entrances to the East Gardens

There are specific landmarks to help you find your way. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are a five-minute walk from both Otemachi and Takebashi subway stations. There are three entrances: Ote-mon, Hirakawa-mon, and Kita-hanebashi-mon. Ote-mon is in the direction of Otemachi Station, and Hirakawa-mon is in the direction of Takebashi Station; Kita-hanebashi-mon is beyond the Hirakawa-bori. Stations and gates offer different arrival cues: the station information gives walking times, while the gate information describes their locations. Walking times depend on the route and entrance, so check the current access information before your visit.

For an overview of the wider trip: Tokyo.

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