I have walked the course of the Celebration of the Imperial Procession and took some photos. I hope you find them useful for the day.
I’ ll head for the Nijubashi Bridge first
Yurakucho station
I got off at Yurakucho to go to Nijubashi.
There were so many people in front of the station that it was very impossible to take a photo without people in it.
LA BOUTIQUE de Joel Rubchon
I found La Boutique de Joël Robuchon Marunouchi on Kajibashi Street.
It’s a café in a trendy building. With the dress code of jeans I’m wearing today, I’m sure I’ll be turned away at the door. I’m sure.
Marunouchi Nakadori
Looking back from there, you can see Marunouchi Naka-dori Avenue. It looks a bit European, with its open cafes. I’ve never been to Europe, though.
Meiji Seimeikan
This building is the Meiji Seimei Kan. It is an important cultural property designed by Shinichiro Okada. The more I look at it, the more I appreciate the attention to detail in the design. If an architect can design even one building like this in his or her lifetime, it would be a great honor for him or her.
Imperial Palace bund
It’s a beautiful day today. That’s why it’s so hot. I forgot my hat, so I want to go into the shade of a tree.
Stone bridge of main gate
I have arrived at the Nijubashi Bridge.
Oh, the guard of honor ceremony is going on. You can see one of them in the middle of the photo.
The ceremony was also held when I came here last October, so it seems to be held relatively often.
But it was over before I could get close. Too bad.
Congratulatory processional ceremony from the iron bridge at the main gate
Iron bridge of main gate
The celebration ceremony on October 22 will begin with the crossing of the iron bridge at the main gate from the right to the left.
Imperial Palece main gate
Next, you will pass through the main gate and cross the main gate stone bridge.
Imperial Palace square
Head east-southeast through the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace. On the day of the event, the stone roadblocks will have been removed.
Nijuubashimae intersection
Turn right at the Nijubashi-mae intersection.
Uchiboridori
Continue along Uchibori Street for about 300 meters.
In front of you you will see the Central Government Building No. 6, Building A, which houses the Ministry of Justice, and to your right you will see the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Metropolitan Police Department.
You will be able to see the parade clearly from the roadside.
Iwaidabashi intersection
Turn right at the intersection of Iwaida Bashi and take Route 1. This is also Route 20.
The greenery has suddenly increased. The scenery is beautiful, but the visibility from the roadside does not seem to be very good.
Former main building of the Ministry of Justice
This is the old main building of the Ministry of Justice (red brick building). It is said to be in the German Neo-Baroque style. This is the second important cultural property of the day.
The monument in the planting indicates that this is the site of the Edo domain residence of the Uesugi family of the Yonezawa domain. The Yonezawa clan had 300,000 koku.
Sakuradamon
On the other side of the road, you can see Sakuradamon.
This area is the place where Naosuke Ii suffered.
Around the Parliament Building
Houses of Parliament
From the Kokkai-mae intersection, I head straight for the Diet Building.
Today, Mr. Trump is visiting Japan as the first state guest of honor of Japan, so police are on alert everywhere. Are the police cars in front of the Diet part of the alert?
Houses of Parliament surroundings
Turn right at the intersection in front of the main gate of the Diet and follow the perimeter.
I’ve passed by this road several times, but I didn’t realize how lush it was.
There are hardly any buildings or street lights in sight, which makes for beautiful photos of the parade.
National Diet Library
The National Diet Library. I thought that all the publications issued in Japan were stored here. However, in addition to the Tokyo Main Library, there is also the Kansai-kan, and some publications are only stored there.
Liberal Democratic Party
Found the Liberal Democratic Party!
It’s convenient to have the party headquarters so close to the Parliament building.
Next to the former Nagatacho Elementary School
This is the side street of the former Nagatacho Elementary School.
Nagatacho Elementary School was merged with Kojimachi Elementary School in 1993.
Official residence of House of Representatives Chairman
This gate seems to be the gate of the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. As the official residence of the heads of the three branches of government, the site is large and magnificent.
Akasakamitsuke intersection
It will be downhill towards the Akasaka Mitsuke intersection.
However, the road the parade will take (Route 246) is expected to go over the multi-story intersection.
This area is not recommended for open cars as they will be driving far away. But maybe it will be a hole in the road with fewer people and better visibility.
This staircase is the key
If you want to cross the intersection on foot, use the pedestrian bridge.
The key is to climb the stairs that lead to the entrances of Nagatacho and Akasaka-mitsuke stations, seen on the far left of this picture. Otherwise, you will have to take a long detour. Of course, I took the long way around and was frustrated, so I came back and took this picture.
Around Akasaka Palace
Trees of Akasaka Imperial Palace
After crossing the pedestrian bridge, you will see the trees of Akasaka Palace in front of you on your right. From here, the parade will go clockwise about halfway around the palace.
There is a planting in the middle of the path, so it will be difficult to see the parade from the other side. Oh, did I mention that the parade is on the right side of the road? If that’s the case, it will be difficult to see the parade from where I’m taking this picture.
Takahashi Korekiyo memorial park
A park appears! This is the Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Park.
About 20 years ago, I entered a mansion that had been moved to the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum in Koganei Park, but it was originally built here.
Buildings of interest in the Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Park
The most interesting thing in the park was this building that looked like a storage room.
Is it for meteorological observation? Or is it an electrical substation, since it has the TEPCO logo on it?
Aoyama Icchome intersection
Turn right at the intersection of Aoyama 1-chome onto Gaien Higashi-dori (Loop Route 3).
A gate on the Gaien Higashi Douri street
The Akasaka Palace has several gates and is under the watchful eye of security guards.
Gaien Higashi Douri street
Continue on Gaien Higashi Dori for about 600 meters.
Tokyo Metropolitan Road 414
Turn right at the intersection of Gondahara and take Metropolitan Road 414.
It is a calm road with two lanes on each side and green trees lining both sides.
Entrance to the Imperial Palace
The small building on the right is the gate to enter the Imperial Palace.。
Security people
There was one policeman and one policewoman guarding the area. Thank you for your hard work.
Shinanomachi station
On the way back, I left from Shinanomachi Station.
Recommendations
Looking back at the entire parade course, I would choose one of the following three places if I were to participate.
1) Between Nijubashi crossing and Shukudabashi crossing
It’s a good vantage point, so you can watch the parade for a long time.
(2) Between the intersection in front of the main gate of the Diet and the intersection in front of the Kensei Kinenkan
The man-made buildings in the distance are hidden by the abundance of trees, making this the best place to watch the parade.
3) In front of Sakuradamon Gate
It is a great honor for Japanese people to see the parade passing by a purely Japanese style building.
If you are not able to get a good view of the parade from these locations, please make sure to check the situation with your own eyes before the parade. I cannot be held responsible if you do not get a good view from these locations.
Walking data
Course: Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line -> Course of the Celebration Rites -> Shinanomachi Station on the JR Chuo Line
Distance: 7.8km
Time: 2h6m
