Sakurada-mon Gate, Former Edo Castle (Currently one of the gates of the Imperial Palace)

Jun 6, 2016

Sakurada-mon Gate, Former Edo Castle (Currently one of the gates of the Imperial Palace)

Walking distance from Sakuradamon Station etc., Tokyo, JAPAN
Important Cultural Property / Nationally Designated / Buildings

Panorama of Sakurada-mon Gate (dual-gate), the gate on your right is the outer gate and the gate on your left is the inner gate where they could snipe enemies passing through the outer gate (Photo by (c)TeaTime Tokyo)

Sakurada-mon Gate is the largest of remaining gates of the former Edo Castle (and the Edo Caslte is the largest among castles ever built in Japan).

Most of the gates of Edo Castle were designed in the style called "Masugata-mon Gate", which consists of two gates of different types, an inner gate and an outer gate, with a squared space held inbetween. The structure was considered having strategic advantages to protect the castle from enemies over battles. The inner gate of the two, named "Yagura-mon" gate, is a gate-shaped turret where they could snipe their enemies passing through the outer gate. Sakurada-mon Gate is one of the "Masugata-mon" gates and was completed in 1620.

Sakurada-mon Gate is open to the public. There is no closing period excluding temporary closings, so you can walk through at any time. It's free of charge.

Stone monument at Sakurada-mon Gate (Photo by (c) TeaTime Tokyo)

Description board at the gate (Photo by (c) TeaTime Tokyo)

Closer shot of the outer gate (Photo by (c) TeaTime Tokyo)

Closer shot of the inner gate (Photo by (c) TeaTime Tokyo)

As you see, there are small windows in the upper layer (in the above photo, deep on your right) where Samurai could ambush their enemies passing through the outer gate. In contrast, the outer gate is a rather simple gate.