The Imperial Palace

Ginza on a rather dull day

The next day the weather had changed. It had been raining overnight and was considerably colder than the previous two days. This was a blessing as the top of my head had become sunburnt. We decided to start where we had left off and travelled to Ginza . The shops in the area area very exclusive. We spent a pleasant half-hour wandering around one shop, the Wako department Store. As we walked around the store we were followed by a constant stream of Irasshaimashe , Welcome! They were very polite but they I think they could see we were well out of our class, the shop was exclusive and expensive. We left, our money still intact, and made out way towards the Imperial Palace.

Tour parties in the Imperial Palace Plaza

We walked west through he financial district with its tall buildings, below the railway lines and then we suddenly came out into a wide open area, Hibya Park . and then along Hibiyadori into the Marunouchi district and across the Nijubashimae bridge and onto the Palace Plaza. Here we came across yet more parties led by banner carrying guides.

A Palace Guard

It was here we got our first glimpse of Tokyo Tower in the distance. Although it is a tall structure, 333 metres high, it had always been hidden behind other buildings.

Access to the Imperial Palace is only possible twice a year, 23 December and 2 January so we had to be content with seeing the palace from a distance. The original entrance to the palace was over the Nijubashi bridge . The much photographed bridge is now closed to pedestrians and at the far end of the bridge were two beautifully decorated guard boxes manned but two immaculately uniformed soldiers.

The Otemon Gate through Cherry Blossom

Further along was the more offical gate from which it was possible to see a bit of the Palace between the trees. Our next destination was the Eastern Garden. The weather was cold and windy but the rain had held off. The Garden is set in what is the ruins of the Edo Castle. To get into the gardens you my enter through the Otemon gate . Click here for a more artistic view of the Otemon Gate. Even with the changeable weather there were plenty of people dressed in business suits in the gardens during the lunch break. The centre of the gardens is a large oval lawn and the wind caused the fallen cherry blossom to turn and swirl around making beautiful patterns on the grass.

The trees in the Imperial Palace gardens

After 45 minutes walking around the gardens and the ruins the weather began to break and it was time to depart. We were departing for Kyoto next morning and we still had to pack. We walked back to Tokyo station and then back to Asakusa via the subway. After packing and washing we made a last trip out to a local restaurant. It had to be local as the weather had finally broke and it was throwing it down. Even with umberellas we got drenched as the rain hit the ground with such force it rebounded up to our knees. Before going to bed we ordered a taxi for 7am and then had one last visit to the hot baths.

Tomorrow we would meet up with our daughter, who was travelling down from Yokote in Akita Prefecture . over night, for the first time since July last year.