Edo Castle Ruins

Overview

Edo Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu when he established the Edo shogunate, flourished as a symbol of power during the Edo period. For 265 years, it served as the residence of the Tokugawa shogun and was both the political and cultural center of Japan. The castle comprised multiple baileys, including the Honmaru (main enclosure), Ninomaru (second enclosure), and Sannomaru (third enclosure), each with its own important function. The Honmaru housed the shogun's residence and the Ooku (women's quarters), the center of political power. The Ninomaru housed the shogun's relatives and retainers. The Sannomaru contained barracks and armories for the castle's defense. Edo Castle's stone walls, built from massive stones, demonstrate the advanced engineering skills of the time. The moats played a crucial role in protecting the castle, encircling it and preventing enemy invasion. Today, the Edo Castle ruins are part of the Imperial Palace grounds and are open to the public. You can see the remaining structures of Edo Castle in the Imperial Palace East Garden. By exploring the remains of the keep, stone walls, and moats, you can imagine the grandeur of Edo Castle. In the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, you can also see historical spots such as the statue of Kusunoki Masashige and Nijubashi Bridge. Edo Castle ruins are a significant site for learning about Japanese history and are beloved by many. Please visit Edo Castle ruins and experience the history of Japan.