Kokyo Gaien National Gardens - 皇居外苑

Known for being the area in front of the Imperial Palace, the black pine trees on the beautiful lawns are particularly dramatic. In the Edo era, this area was known as Nishinomarushita and was the location of the house of the palace's chief servants. As you proceed into the park, you will be able to see Nijubashi, the well known symbol of the Imperial Palace. Near the Babasakimon stands a bronze statue of Masashige Kusunoki. Sakuradamon, an important cultural asset to Japan, on the south side is the site of the Sakuradamon Incident in which Naosuke Ii was assassinated by Mito and Satsuma samurai in 1860.