A Brief History

Chiyoda-ku was founded in 1947 and has been the seat of the Japanese government since the Edo Period (1603 to 1868).  The area is named after a famous local castle, also known as Edo Castle, which was built on the site that is now home to the Imperial Palace.

The main train station in Chiyoda-ku is Tokyo Station but the area is also serviced by numerous stations operated by Tokyo Metro. 

Events

Tokyo International Forum hosts many international conventions and events throughout the year.  It is also home to the Oedo Antique Market and the Mitsuo Aida Museum.

A sumo exhibition at Yasukuni Shrine is usually held each year in early April.  Check the Nihon Sumo Kyokai website for dates.

Also in April, the Cherry Blossoms are at their best around Chiyoda’s Chidorigafuchi Moat. Walk the path around the moat or rent a boat for a romantic paddle around the moat with someone you love.

Check the Chiyoda city festival listings page for details on other events going on throughout the year in the city.

The Sights

The most famous tourist sight in Chiyoda-ku is the impressive Imperial Palace.  The adjoining Imperial Palace East Garden is also quite stunning and is free to visit.  

Famous Shrines in the area include Kanda Myoujin, Yasukuni Shrine and Hie Jinja.

Hibiya Park is an oasis of green and a favorite spot for the area’s office workers to escape

The Marunouchi area is home to many office buildings including the modern Shin-Marunouchi Building that houses four floors of restaurants as well as retail stores and office space.

Another dining option is Yakitori Alley, where skewered and grilled chicken are served with cold beer in a fun atmosphere.

Akihabara is Tokyo’s electronics district and home to many of the most recent tech toys, computers, cameras and game devices on the market.  You can also pick up some Mange or Anime in the area or visit one of many Maid Cafe’s.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo was established in 1952 and is home to the museum itself, a crafts gallery and The National Film Center all dedicated to collecting and preserving modern artworks, films and other items of note from the 20th century.

Tour the National Diet or parliament of Japan.

There are many great sights in Chiyoda and to help visitors see them all Chiyoda City offers three walking itineraries to choose from.  However, if you want to rest your feet, take a ride on the Marunouchi Shuttle, one of three free bus routes in Tokyo.

Fun Facts & Trivia

The most famous residents on the Ward are Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The palace has housed the Imperial Household of Japan since 1868, when the imperial family relocated from Kyoto which had been the imperial capital for more than a thousand years.

The Imperial palace and surrounding grounds occupy twelve percent of the the cities 11.6 square kilometers.

Image Credit: Personal Collection, Imperial Palace, Yasukuni Shrine & Akihabara

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If you need to plan a meeting, the hotel offers meeting consultants who will assist you with the details, but if your trip to Tokyo doesn’t involve a meeting or if you plan on staying an extra day or two, the hotel offers a number of great events and tours through The Peninsula Academy. Learn about Japanese Sake, go an a guided tour of Tsukiji Fish Market or attend one of the cooking classes that are offered for fees that start around Y16,000 (US $160) per person. The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo also caters to visitors that want to get out and explore the city on their own by offering BMW bicycle rentals to their guests. Nearby sights include Hibiya Park, Yakitori Alley, and the Imperial Palace Plaza and East Gardens.

You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy the restaurants & bars at The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo. The lounge at Peter is the perfect place to enjoy cocktails overlooking the lights of Ginza or a romantic twilight dinner for two.

The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo offers a variety of room rates and packages that start around Y60,000 (US $600).

Image Credit: Flickr, Peninsula Tokyo

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Toro Nagashi in Tokyo:

Imperial Palace Moat – July 13th from 6:30 to 7:30PM.  The lanterns are best viewed from Chidorigafuchi Park.  The park is a short walk from the Kudanshita Station on Tokyo Metro. (access map – scroll down)

Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park – July 17th from 7PM. Shinobazu Pond is located a short, but scenic, walk from Ueno Station.  (Ueno Park map)

Both events are free to view and it may be possible to purchase a lantern and float it in memory of someone that you have lost.  It’s a beautiful tribute and you do not need to be a Buddhist to participate in Toro Nagashi.

In the case of heavy rain these events will be canceled or postponed.

Photo Credit:  Sprits of the dead on Lantern floated on the river

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This is one of those tours that will be well worth the time and effort that it takes to arrange and it’s free.

Application Guidelines for Tours of the Imperial Palace

Who can take the tour: Anyone over 18, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied an adult aged 20 or older.
Tour Times: Weekdays at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM (no 1:30 tour from July 21 to August 31 and no tours at all between December 28 and January 4 of the following year) (tour map)
Applications: Accepted by telephone (+81-(0)-3-3213-1111) or via the internet from the first day of the month preceding your desired tour date up to one day (four days for internet applications) before the tour date. Once your application has been accepted no changes can be made and you need to visit the Imperial Palace Tour office with proper identification to apply for a tour permit at least one day before the tour date.
Office Hours: From 8:45 AM to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, and days from December 29 to January 3)

Visit the Imperial Household Agency website for details on the location of the Imperial Palace and to access the online application.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia, KokyoFushimiYaguraM1070

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Japan’s monarchy is the longest hereditary monarchy in the world and there have been 125 reigning monarchs since 660BC. Prior to 1889, Japan had eight female tennō or reigning empresses, but since that time Japanese law limits the succession to the throne to direct male descendants of the current emperor. This posed a problem until September 2006 when Prince Hisahito was born. Until that point the Imperial Household has 22 members and no male heir had been born into the imperial family since Prince Akishino, the Emperor’s second son and Prince Hisahito’s father, in 1965. This resulted in a potential succession crisis in Japan and there were some serious discussions about whether or not the law would need to be changed to allow a female to take the throne once again. Most everyday Japanese people did not support such a change.

His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor Akihito, ascended to the throne upon his father’s death in 1989. His father, Emperor Showa (Hirohito), led Japan through WWI and WWII and at the end of WWII was forced to publicly admit that he was not, as traditionally believed, a decendant of the Gods. The implementation of the post war constitution in 1947 limited the Emperor’s role to one that it is purely ceremonial.

The Imperial Palace is located in the heart of Tokyo and is closed to the public on all but two days of the year, January 2nd and December 23rd (The Emperor’s birthday) but it is definitely worth a visit.

Approaching on foot you will cross the Babasaki Moat to arrive at the vast Imperial Palace Plaza. Wander through the plaza to view the outer fortifications of the palace and the various and gates and bridges that cross the string of moats that surround the palace proper. Don’t forget your camera as there are many great photo opportunities at the Imperial Palace. One of the most photographed views from the Imperial Palace Plaza is that of the Niju-bashi bridge (pictured above).

To get to the Imperial Palace take the subway to either Tokyo or Nujibashi-mae Stations and walk towards the Sakashita-mon gate or the Niju-bashi bridge (map).

Historical Information Source: Wikipedia, Imperial House of Japan
Photo Credits: Wikipedia, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan & Flickr, Tokyo Imperial Palace 2

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler