Imperial Palace Japan

"Tokyo Imperial Palace." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Imperial_Palace>.

This is a strong source of the history and more structural information of the Imperial Palace. For instance it was built on the old Edo Castle and is 3.41 square kilometers.

"Tokyo Imperial Palace." Tokyo Imperial Palace. Japan Guide. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3017.html>.

This source provides more up close and personal information as it was written by a blogger. I am able to get strong pictures about the defenses and style of building that the imperial palace was built upon.

"The Imperial Palace Area | Japan National Tourism Organization." The Imperial Palace Area | Japan National Tourism Organization. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/imperial.html>.

This source provides some beautiful pictures regarding the blooming of the cherry blossom trees such as when they bloom, and where they bloom in the palace.

"Imperial Household Agency Visit Guide Sites Imperial Palace." Imperial Household Agency Visit Guide Sites Imperial Palace. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html>.

This source mostly provides video content and allows me to see a map of the actual palace grounds so I can get a feel for what the palace truly is like and see it with my own eyes.

"Imperial Palace - Lonely Planet." Lonely Planet. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/sights/castles-palaces-mansions/imperial-palace>.

This source provides more information regarding what parts of the palace are open without being on a tour for instance the palace is off limits because it’s the home of the emperor and the imperial family but Imperial Palace East Garden is open to the public.

"TOKYO IMPERIAL PALACE." - Go Japan Go. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.gojapango.com/tokyo/imperial_palace_tokyo.htm>.

This source explains a lot about how the Japanese government while not all living in there and sticking to traditional rule they do stick close to the Kokyo as its part of the tradition for the members of government to stay close to the palace which is in the center of the capital.

"Imperial Palace Tour." Around Tokyo. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://aroundtokyo.net/blog/2012/03/12/imperial-palace-tour/>.

Fushimi-yagura is said to be the most beautiful building within the palace grounds and was apparently moved from Fushimi castle in Kyoto. Just under it is the beautiful Seimon-tetsubashi bridge, which in turn looks over Seimon-Ishibashi bridge. From here you can get some fantastic photo opportunities, looking up at the keep and over the city`s Marunouchi district.

"Japan’s Imperial Palace @ Nationalgeographic.com." Japan’s Imperial Palace @ Nationalgeographic.com. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0101/feature5/>.

This article goes over how National Geographic wanted to meet those who lived in the imperial palace and kept it running on a daily basis.

"Tokyo Imperial Palace." Famous Wonders of the World Best Places to Visit See Travel Pictures Tokyo Imperial Palace Comments. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://famouswonders.com/tokyo-imperial-palace/>.

This source covers more of the general knowledge of the Imperial Palace and treats it as a wonder of the world. While its not information user experiences at these locations tends to be just as useful as actual data when compiling a presentation.

"7 Things To Do At The Imperial Palace in Tokyo." Japan Talk. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/imperial-palace>.

This particular article is very good for giving good locations to visit at the imperial palace and its useful for those wanting to visit the imperial palace.

"Tokyo's Imperial Palace Grounds Are Peaceful Oasis amid Concrete Jungle | The Japan Times." Japan Times. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/10/06/national/tokyos-imperial-palace-grounds-peaceful-oasis-amid-concrete-jungle/>.

This shows that while Tokyo is a modern 21st century city the imperial palace is an oasis of beauty with natural gardens and keeps the old traditional style of Japanese architecture.

"Facts on the Imperial Palace." Travel Tips. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://traveltips.usatoday.com/imperial-palace-9888.html>.

This is more general and useful information about the Imperial Palace and while not the most informational it does contain useful information in an easy to read format.

"The Imperial Palace and around | Tokyo Guide." Rough Guides. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/japan/tokyo/central-tokyo/imperial-palace-and-around/>.

Huge and windswept, the Imperial Plaza forms a protective island in front of the modern Royal Palace. Follow the groups of local tourists straggling across the broad avenues to view one of the palace’s most photogenic corners, Nijūbashi, where two bridges span the moat and a jaunty little watchtower perches on its grey stone pedestal beyond. Though this double bridge is a late nineteenth-century embellishment, the tower dates back to the seventeenth century and is one of the castle’s few original structures.

"Nijubashi - Tokyo's Most Famous Bridge." JAPAN THIS. 2013. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <https://markystar.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/nijubashi-tokyos-most-famous-bridge/>.

Nijubashi was actually the nickname of the kejōbashi (now the iron bridge), not the ōtebashi (now the stone bridge). The bridge was built in 1614 by the shōgun, Tokugawa Hidetada.

"The Gilded Walls of Japan's Imperial Palace." The Guardian. The Guardian. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/mar/06/japan.justinmccurry>.

But she also appeared to admonish the princess, who, like her came from a well-to-do, though not blue-blooded family. "At the same time, the thought has also stayed with me continually that I should not betray the expectations of the many people who saw me off to a new journey on that same day with much blessing, and stain the history of the common people out of whom I came."

"Meeting the Emperor of Japan at His Imperial Palace." GaijinPot Meeting the Emperor of Japan at His Imperial Palace Comments. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://blog.gaijinpot.com/meeting-the-emperor-of-japan/>.

In modern times, being allowed to see this royal family is still just as exciting and impressive as ever. From the time you leave Tokyo train station until the moment Akihito gives his noteworthy speech in front of you, you feel as if you’re getting the full Japanese cultural and historical experience.

"Real Japanese Gardens." Tokyo Imperial Palace Ninomaru Gardens. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.japanesegardens.jp/gardens/secret/000082.php>.

The Japanese garden of the Tokyo Imperial Palace can be found in the secondary circle of defense of the palace.

"Japan's Palace Grounds Once More Valuable than California."CBSNews. CBS Interactive. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/japans-palace-grounds-once-more-valuable-than-california/>.

Forbes' Robert Lenzner cites U.S. residential real estate as the "largest single asset class in the world" with a total worth of about $27 trillion. If home values decline nationally by only 10%, we're looking at a loss of $3 trillion of wealth -- and mostly out of the pockets of consumers.

"Could The Imperial Palace In Japan Sit On An Older Ancient Megalithic Base - Hidden Inca Tours." Hidden Inca Tours. 2014. Web. 30 Jan. 2016.<https://hiddenincatours.com/could-the-imperial-palace-in-japan-sit-on-an-older-ancient-megalithic-base/>.

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"We Visit a Hidden Store on the Imperial Palace Grounds Offering Items You Can't Find Anywhere Else." RocketNews24 RSS. 2013. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/10/04/we-visit-a-hidden-store-on-the-imperial-palace-grounds-offering-items-you-cant-find-anywhere-else/>.

This article focused more on the shopping and wines that are found in the imperial palace area.

The Tokyo Imperial Palace has been the primary residence for the Emperor of Japan since 1888. Before the Tokyo Imperial Palace was constructed the previous building the Edo Castle was home to the shogun of Japan.

The Edo Castle housed the Shogun from 1603 to 1867. During the Meiji Restoration was a time period in 1868 where traditional Japanese rule was restored and the concept of the Shogun was thrown out in 1868 the Shogunate was overthrown, and the countries capital (previously in Kyoto) was moved to Tokyo.

During The Meiji Restoration Emperor Meiji, restored powers to the traditional Emperor moved the capital of Japan and was hailed as a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The new Emperor made great strives to restructure the political and social structure of the country which is what lead to the emergence of the modernized Japan that we have today.

The Emperor of Japan announces to the sovereigns of all foreign countries and to their subjects that permission has been granted to the Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu to return the governing power in accordance with his own request. We shall henceforward exercise supreme authority in all the internal and external affairs of the country. Consequently the title of Emperor must be substituted for that of Taikun, in which the treaties have been made. Officers are being appointed by us to the conduct of foreign affairs. It is desirable that the representatives of the treaty powers recognize this announcement.
— Mutsuhito, January 3, 1868

The emperor turned focus away from the values of the Shogun and instead focused more on unification, education, and instilled new values in the Japanese people. 20 years after taking power the new Emperor built the Tokyo Imperial Palace as a replacement for the once Edo Castle.

During World War 2 the palace was destroyed but it was reconstructed with the same style.

The palace is not generally open to the public so the Japanese Emperor is kept under safeguard but there are guided tours of the grounds. In fact, the only time that visitors are allowed to enter the inner palace grounds and to see the Imperial Family is during New Year's (where the Emperor gives his speech) and during the Emperor's Birthday.

To this day the emperor and the imperial family have remained as a symbol the Japanese people and have been housed in the same palace for over 100+ years paying respects to the ways of old.