Meiji Temple Meiji Shinto Temple is one of the best examples of the architecture of Shinto religion in Japan. The temple is located in the middle of a dark forest, an unexpected oasis of wild nature in the central part of the city. In order to reach the temple, visitors must pass a huge wooden tower and continue their walk in a wide pebbled path. Completed in 1920, the temple was built in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken - during their reign Japan became a modern country, open to the world. On weekends, the territory of the temple is often occupied by traditional wedding processions. The temple also has a beautiful iris garden that is particularly beautiful in June, when irises bloom.
The Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace was built in 1590 during the reign of Ieyasu, the first shogun from the Tokugawa dynasty. For centuries, the palace was growing, steadily becoming the biggest palace in the world. The inner courtyard of the palace is open to the public only two days a year - on January 2, the New Year day, and on December 23, the birthday of the Emperor. Do not forget to pay attention to Nijibashi, a double stone arch bridge, which once was the main entrance to the palace. During the Second World War, the palace was destroyed, but later, in 1968, it was rebuilt. The walls and moats that remained from the Edo castle of the Tokugawa shogun period were integrated into the design of the present palace. Currently, the royal family still lives in the western part of the palace.
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