Remains of an Edo-period residence
Kitanomaru Garden
Your walk around historical Tokyo sites begins in earnest at two Edo-style gates that welcome visitors to this day, even though the original Edo Castle had been destroyed in a fire in the late 17th century. The beatific walk into what was once home to extended family members of the Tokugawa shogunate, the rulers during the Edo period (1603–1867), will take you away from the urban city with its extensive lawns, ponds, and lush greenery. It was later converted into a garden and open to the public. If you are visiting in spring, you will be treated to one of Tokyo's best cherry blossom views, with the delicate cherry trees hanging over the moat of the former castle. If modern art or science is your cup of tea, you may also wish to spend some time at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, or the Science Museum which are located at one end of the Kitanomaru Garden.