Many thanks to the guests who participated in the tour to the East Garden of the Imperial Palace located just next to Japan’s governmental section.
On the tour of the day we hosted 13 guests from India, Australia, Canada, France, and Singapore.
The weather was unusually hot in this time of the year. So we try to get into shaded areas while guiding.
We hope everybody enjoyed the tour and conversation with us and other guests. As promised, group photos and snapshots are attached to remember the fun times we had.
The East Garden was where the feudal lord, so called Shogun’s castle was located before late 19th century, and was a practical central governance function while the capital of Japan in the feudal period was officially Kyoto since Emperor resided there.
Now the practical government function is relocated just next to west side of the Imperial Palace. You can view a tip of it in Wadakura Fountain Park within the tour route.
The pyramid like roof above the imperial palace woods seen above the fountain is Japan’s Parliament or Congress or Diet (National Assembly) Hall. It is like Capitol Hill in Washington or Westminster in London or Reichstage in Berlin.
As such function was moved and turned into more modern governmental system, Emperor in Kyoto had to be relocated as well because in the modern time, Emperor had to hold national ceremonies along with practical governmental entities just like Western Nation-States.
In the feudal period, Emperor was a divine existence away from the government like today’s Roman Pope in Vatican city.
In those days, Shogun went to Kyoto to meet with Emperor. The reminiscent of such custom exists in Kyoto, Nijojo Castle, formerly Shogun’s second castle for stay in Kyoto. It is one of famous tourist spots in Kyoto.
The exterior of the castle is similar to what used to stand on the turf of the East Garden.
Why not join our tour to learn about such history?
Once again, thank you so much for joining us on our tour. We always make efforts to improve our tours and highly appreciate your feedback on our TripAdvisor/Facebook etc. Your comments would makes us happy and give us more strong motivations to keep our volunteer activities. And also we’d be glad so much if you would recommend your family and friends our tour. Hope to see you again at our another tours too, such as Asakusa/Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, and Meiji Shrine/Harajuku.
Posted by Masa