10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Welcome to the East Gardens of Imperial Palace, Tokyo
The next morning after our failed attempt to visit Japan's Imperial Palace, we finally found the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which is also known as Higashi-Gyoen in Japanese. The entrance the Imperial Palace East Gardens is named Otemon entrance and the entrance is located within a short walk from Otemachi train station.
The sakura has bloomed when we visited Imperial Palace. So pretty.
I suppose the obelisk says "Otemon entrance". You need to walk across the moat on a bridge to go forward to Otemon entrance.
Just like all gardens and parks in Japan, you can feel the atmosphere of zen-ness (or calmness) whenever you enter the area. Looking at those bonsai trees, I've always had this idea of planting mini bonsai(s) when I retire. Maybe I should just start to learn how to trim the bonsai plants now instead of later. LOL.
After you come in via Otemon entrance, you will see a museum and a wooden house with a lot of benches inside. There are souvenirs and books relating to the Japanese emperor and imperial family on sale inside. You can also watch documentary films about the imperial family inside the house.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens is best visited in spring and autumn. When we visited the Imperial Palace in spring, there are so many varieties of flowers which we can find inside the garden.
These yellow flowers are very beautiful. One flower is actually made from a lot of smaller flowers which are white and yellow in color.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens is closed on Mondays and Fridays. There is no admission fee charged to visitors.