Back at the hotel, I realise a change of clothes is in order as - perhaps unsurprisingly - I smell quite strongly of fish. This is my last day in Tokyo and there’s lots left to see. Starting with the Imperial Palace (in daylight this time) and the Nijubashi [pictured], I take the anti-clockwise route around the vast palace grounds. The first highlight is Fujimi-yagura, one of the watchtowers of the former Edo castle.
Disappointingly, the Higashi Gyoen (east garden) is closed on Mondays, so I have to take a longer and less interesting route around the north east of the palace, with the walls and moat to my left and a main road to my right. In my weariness, I take a wrong turn and cut through the grounds, meaning I miss the northwest corner containing the Budokan and the controversial Yasukuni shrine. I'll probably regret it later but, with my vigour at its lowest ebb, I decline to turn back and continue to circle the palace.
On the west side, I emerge by the Hanzo moat and continue my walk, past the National Theatre, before breaking away from the Palace and heading towards the Diet. This time, there are lots more people visiting the Diet and I join the gathering at the gate to peer at the seat of Japanese government. After a well earned rest amongst the trees in Hibiya-koen - Tokyo’s first European-style park - I press on to Shimbashi station.
Disappointingly, the Higashi Gyoen (east garden) is closed on Mondays, so I have to take a longer and less interesting route around the north east of the palace, with the walls and moat to my left and a main road to my right. In my weariness, I take a wrong turn and cut through the grounds, meaning I miss the northwest corner containing the Budokan and the controversial Yasukuni shrine. I'll probably regret it later but, with my vigour at its lowest ebb, I decline to turn back and continue to circle the palace.
On the west side, I emerge by the Hanzo moat and continue my walk, past the National Theatre, before breaking away from the Palace and heading towards the Diet. This time, there are lots more people visiting the Diet and I join the gathering at the gate to peer at the seat of Japanese government. After a well earned rest amongst the trees in Hibiya-koen - Tokyo’s first European-style park - I press on to Shimbashi station.
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