May have to split this one into two posts, but we'll see how many pics Blogger lets me upload... AND we're able to upload all 35 or so pics!
Walking towards what I thought was the entrance. It wasn't. It was a side gate, which is closed. Not one to despair, I simply followed the crowd around the moat and eventually found the main gate. Which was open! We'll see that later (or at least the inside).
They have some random, tastefully placed cherry blossom trees along the outside of the palace. I'm obviously not the only one taking pics.
Walking along the moat.
This kid was awesome. He and his brother had little toy swords, and they were chasing each other around play fighting. I know when I was a kid, I was more about solving calculus problems (doing integrals when I was 5!), so I don't know what it's like to grow up playing. It looks like fun, though.
It was at this point that he seemed to notice the strange white guy taking his picture. This could have gotten awkward, but I managed to play it cool. One more shot, pretend I'm taking pics of the tree, and move on!
But I wasn't moving on! Here's an action shot of him and his brother. This was actually in mid-fall, so point to brother wearing black! He jumped up pretty quickly, though. I guess when you don't have far to fall... Hey, there's a metaphor there!
That's the walkway to the main entrance! A pretty, calm moat with a lonely swan (not pictured) swimming around.
And here we are just inside the main gate! A nice wide path of crushed stone makes for easy walking. Very well manicured trees in this park. Which is what one would expect, I expect.
Sentry building on the way in.
I think this was a barracks or another guard house, a bit beyond the sentry station pictured just above.
This is a map of the imperial palace, located right next to the aforementioned barracks (or whatever). I actually didn't read this, but I thought it'd be good to take a pic.
Nice open park inside the outer walls.
Shot of the inner wall.
A nice garden located between inner and outer walls.
Continuing to walk along. You can see the inner wall to the left.
And here's the garden from walking just a bit further. It's to the right in the picture just above.
Shot of the inner wall. The path leads up at a pretty steep angle. Surprisingly (or perhaps not, considering this is Tokyo) there were many women in high heels. I agree that you look great, but chose some appropriate footwear, ladies!
That's the path leading into the inner part of the palace. What's that, a 25 or 30 degree incline? "220, 221, whatever it takes." (what movie is that from?)
Some traditionally garbed ladies. I'm sure they get photographed all the time, so I didn't feel bad about not asking.
Walking up the incline, looking back. I can only imagine what the emperors thought while looking out over Tokyo...
Up inside the inner walls there is this huge open space, lined with beautiful trees. It's evidently a popular picnic / hangout spot for the kids, and families. It's on a small hill, so you get a view of Tokyo in the distance. Pretty awesome.
This is actually inside the palace! Still can't believe how much open space is here!
Back to the park inside the palace!
There is a little mini-hill, which looks like it should have a lookout tower or fort on top. Maybe it did at one point. But this is the view over the park from that hill.
Sitting at the edge of the park, people watching. This kid was cute. Dad's carrying little brother or sister. Seemed like a good dad, being involved with the kids. I can appreciate that.
Another inside the palace shot. Talk about wide open spaces (isn't that a Dixie Chicks album / song?)
And, back outside the palace. I really like how they've got only a few cherry blossom trees. All that green really makes them stand out.
This is the open space in front of the palace. So wide open.
Not sure why we're out of order, but this is another inside the palace shot.
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