Nijubashi Bridge at Imperial Palace

Location: Tokyo Imperial Palace
How to get there: A short walk from Tokyo Station.

After our visits to Sensoji Temple, we decided to come over Imperial Palace. While on the way to the Palace, we passed by the garden. We fully awe with the way the garden is maintained. The tree was well trimmed, making it looks like those bonsai tree we saw in homeland...

As we walked nearer to the palace, we came about to the moat. We only able to see the palace from far away. Thus, without wasting time and under the torrid sun we took as many photos as we can.

Nijubashi means the "Double Bridge" is one of the most well-known bridges in Japan. If you are looking at the bridge from the front, the two separate bridges appear as a single two storied bridge.

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the East Plaza or "To-tei" via the Nijubashi and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open to the public throughout the year except on Mondays, Fridays and special occasions.