- Address: 3 Kyōtogyoen, Kamigyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 602-0881
- Phone: +81 75-211-1215
- Official site: sankan.kunaicho.go.jp
- Date of construction: 1855
In the heart of the city of Kyoto is the old Imperial Palace Gosyo, which served until 1868 as the residence of the imperial family, until the Japanese capital was moved to Tokyo . By and large, it was with the construction of this building that the architectural history of the city began. The Gosyo Imperial Palace in Kyoto is the national treasure of Japan , which preserves the memory of several generations of rulers who lived in it. Unlike the Tokyo Palace , tourists can get to Gosø with a tour twice a year and only on prior request.
History of the Imperial Palace
The chronicle of this building dates back to the beginning of the 7th century, when Heian (the future Kyoto) was christened the capital of Japan. The first palace was built in 794 in the central part of the city. During the VII-XIII centuries. The building burned repeatedly, but was completely restored. Often, reconstruction was carried out because of dilapidated buildings. Traditionally, during the repair work, the imperial residence was moved to one of the temporary palaces belonging to the Japanese nobles. The Kyoto Palace was one of such temporary palaces, and in the XIV it became a permanent imperial residence.
To the appearance of the Imperial Palace Gosyo put their hand to different rulers. After another fire, the building stood for a long time destroyed, and in 1569 Oda Nabunaga built the main monarch's chambers, which occupied a small area of 110 square meters. His political followers Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu continued their restoration work, significantly expanding the palace area. Matsudaira Sadanobu built several buildings in Heian style.
In 1855, the last reconstruction of the Imperial Palace was completed, and since then its appearance has not changed significantly.
Architectural features of the palace
The territory of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto is surrounded by a massive wall of white with brown, faded from time, logs. The length of the palace from the north side is 450 m, and from the western side - 250 m. There are six gates around the perimeter of the fence. Visitors can go inside through the gates of Kogomon and Seysemon. It is known that the emperor used only the southern, now ceremonial, entrance of Kanray. As in many Shinto temples, the alley around the walls is strewn with gravel, and in the park that surrounds the palace and the Imperial pond, pine, sakura and maples grow.
In the northern part of the courtyard is the throne room Xixing - one of the most important ceremonial buildings, and to the north-west from it you can see the premises of the monarch Seire. There are also rooms for the Empress, princes and princesses, the hall of Tsunenogoden, the Training Hall and the Small Palace of Koogos. In addition to the Imperial Palace Gosyo, in the park is the Palace of Sento and other historical attractions , including Kanninomiya, the residence of judges. Nearby there is a miniature shrine - Miyajima Itucushima .
How to get to the historic palace?
The Imperial Palace in Kyoto is easily accessible by metro. At the central station of Kyoto, you need to select a train that runs along the Karasuma line. The trip will take no more than 10 minutes. It is better to get off at Imadegawa station, as it is closer to the entrance gate to the palace complex and to the office of the Imperial Court Agency. A little longer will have to walk from the station Marutamati.