Previous Post,
"DAY 28: KYOTO Part 3 - Nighttime in the Gion District"
We finished our short trip to Kyoto by visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace - the former residence of the Imperial Family until 1868 when they moved to their present palace in Tokyo. As mentioned before, visits can only occur by appointment, usually reserved for foreign visitors. One Japanese national is allowed in per group to serve as an interpreter. There are 2 English speaking tours offered on most weekdays at 10 am and 4 pm, which last about an hour. The reservation process is relatively easy through the
Imperial Household Agency website. Be sure to bring your appointment confirmation to show the guards at the gate, and also your passports.
(Okurumayose: awning for where the carriages dropped off guests)
(Shodaibunoma: waiting hall for visiting guests; Gekkamon Gate in the distance)
(Shodaibunoma: interior with paintings of cranes on the screens)
(Jomeimon Gate: inspired by Chinese architecture colors of vermillion orange; Shishinden: the most important building on palace grounds used for important events such as state and enthronement (coronation) ceremonies.)
(Wood roofs made of layers and layers of cedar bark. It is resistant to water, yet allows roof to breathe. Roofs last about 30 years and it takes 25 years to re-roof all the buildings of the Imperial Palace grounds.)
(Shunkoden: building that formerly housed one of the 3 sacred Imperial Treasures of Japan - a mirror)
(Emperor's living quarters: the Emperor was carried everywhere because he was not allowed to touch the ground, except for in his living quarters where the ground was covered in ceramic. The center tented area was his main sitting area on thick tatami mats. Whenever he welcomed visitors, a screen came down in between them so as to not be able to directly view the Emperor.)
(Oikeniwa Garden)
(A Crane was hunting for food in the Oikeniwa Garden pond. It was so still, it almost looked fake until it started moving towards something, caught it, and flew off.)
(Gonaitei Garden)
(Gardeners manicuring the trees)
(A rock garden, even in the women's restroom at the Imperial Palace!)
Click
here to view more photos of Kyoto.
