Edo Castle

For 260 years Edo Castle was home to the Tokugawa shoguns and the center of Japan's politics. Today it forms the heart of the Imperial Palace grounds. The Tenshudai, a massive stone platform in the inner gardens, is all that remains of what was once the tallest castle tower in Japan before it burned in 1657 and was never rebuilt. The East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen) are free to enter and showcase the original moats, guard towers, and stone walls that once protected the most powerful fortress in the land. The Ninomaru Garden features a traditional Japanese landscape with a pond and tea house. Seasonal highlights include cherry blossoms along the moat in spring and vibrant autumn foliage in the inner gardens. The surrounding area, including the famous Nijubashi Bridge, is walkable and offers a sense of the sheer scale of Tokugawa power.