Strict security checks are conducted before entering the Imperial Palace
Nijubashi Bridge and Fushimi Yagura Keep
| Return to Top Return to Imperial Palace Contents Table Return to December |
| Emperor Akihito will celebrate his 85th birthday on December 23, 2018. Emperor with Empress
Michiko and other royal family members answers to well-wishers at the Imperial
Palace in Tokyo. Entrance: Main Gate (Nijubashi) 9:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m. Appearances: 10:20 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. On 7 January 1989, upon the demise of Emperor Hirohito, His Majesty Emperor Akihito acceded to the throne as the 125th Emperor of Japan. Emperor Akihito was born in Tokyo on 23 December 1933 as the first son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kojun. He has four elder sisters, one younger brother and one younger sister. On 10 April 1959, Crown Prince Akihito married Miss Michiko Shoda, daughter of a distinguished businessman. Empress Michiko was born in Tokyo on 20 October 1934 as the first daughter of Hidesaburo and Fumiko Shoda. The Shoda family is prominent in both industrial and academic circles. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess established a happy family with their three children, Prince Naruhito, Prince Fumihito and Princess Sayako. (quoted from the official website of the Imperial Household Agency) URL: Imperial Household Agency) |
Strict security checks are conducted before entering the Imperial Palace
Nijubashi Bridge and Fushimi Yagura Keep
| Nishinomaru Mon - Main Gate into the palace is under the repair construction for the damages received in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. |
Fushimi Yagura (Keep)
The Nijubashi bridge and the Imperial Palace Plaza viewed from inside the
palace.
| Chowaden Hall is the largest building of the Imperial Palace and is used mainly for official state ceremonies and is known as a place the emperor and other members of the imperial family appear two times a year before the general public at the balcony on the occasions of the emperor's birthday on December 23 and on January 2 Ippan Sanga (Open visit to the Imperial Palace to congratulate the royal family). |
People wave small Japanese flags and shout "Banzai" or "Long
live"
| Crowds entering from Nishinomaru Gate walk to the exits Sakashitamon Gate, Kikyomon Gate, Kitahanebashi Gate etc. after celebrating Emperor's Birthday.. |
Fujimi Yagura (Mt. Fuji Viewing Keep) near the Kikyomon Gate.
Fujimi Tamon Yagura was used as an arsenal of the main castle of Edo. In
the front is the Lotus Pond
Fujimi Yagura Keep is popular for its beautiful shape of Japanese castle