Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo

Kitanomaru Park, situated to the north of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, boasts several notable attractions, including the Nippon Budokan, an indoor sports and performance venue, as well as the Science Museum and the National Crafts Museum.

Originally, Kitanomaru Park occupied the northernmost section of Edo Castle. It served dual purposes as a medicinal garden and a secure residential area for members of the extended royal family. The park is almost entirely surrounded by deep moats and defensive fortifications that date back to the time of the original castle.

Prior to its transformation into Kitanomaru Park in 1969, this area was known as the Town of Local Governors because it housed many local governors soon after the construction of Edo Castle.

Remarkably, two gated entrances from the era of Edo Castle still stand: the Shimizu gate and, further north, the Tayasu gate. The Tayasu gate held the distinction of being the northernmost gate of Edo Castle. It comprises an outer gate in the Korai style and an inner gatehouse in the Yagura style, with closely stacked stone walls creating a narrow defensive courtyard in between. An inscription on the outer side of the Tayasu gate indicates that it was built in 1685, making it one of the oldest surviving structures from the original castle.