In the imperial gardens

This weekend, I decided to visit Tokyo, the most populous metropolis in the world. The entire metropolitan area is home to around 37 million people, roughly the same number as the entire population of Poland! Comparing these figures is perhaps the best way to convey how overwhelming Tokyo can feel.

My journey began at Akihabara Station, renowned for its electronics shopping and all things related to manga and anime. Surprisingly, the station wasn't particularly crowded, comparable to what you might experience on a Friday at Warsaw Central Station. As I discovered later, this was because I arrived early in the day when the crowds were minimal. When I returned to Akihabara in the evening, the number of people was significantly greater, and immersing myself in that crowd brought a slight unease... But let's rewind to the beginning :)

I came to Tokyo without a specific goal or sightseeing plan, thinking that in such a city, I would surely stumble upon something interesting "along the way." And that's precisely what happened. Upon leaving the station, I headed south towards the Ginza district. I was intrigued by the thought of seeing the Godzilla statue (but I'll share more about the king of monsters another time!). Though it's 3 kilometers from Akihabara to Ginza, I chose to walk, as I had the entire day to spare. This is how I found myself near the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the subject of today's writing. Prepare for plenty of photos and less text, as it's truly easier to see a garden than describe it.

Magnificent old buildings are part of the park. The entrance gate catches the eye from a distance.

The gardens stand out in the landscape, a patch of greenery amidst towering skyscrapers. Feeling curious, I approached the entrance gate. To my surprise, entry to the gardens is free! They are open daily except for Mondays and Fridays. Before entering, visitors must go through security checks, where the police inspect backpacks and bags. It's also worth noting that taking photos with a drone is prohibited here. Sadly, part of the garden was inaccessible due to ongoing renovation and construction work.

The height of the defensive walls is very impressive - for comparison, look at the people in the left and right photos....

The gardens span over 0.2 km² and are impeccably maintained. Besides the lush greenery, there are a few historic buildings. I was particularly impressed by the old walls, remnants of the destroyed Edo Castle. The grounds are home to various fruit trees, including plum and persimmon (kaki), and at the center, there's a vast green meadow perfect for relaxation. Additionally, there are beautifully arranged ponds inhabited by koi carp, and you might even stumble upon a small bamboo grove.

What left the greatest impression on me was the view from the top of the ancient defensive walls, overlooking the park and the city beyond. There's something incredible about the contrast between nature and urban sprawl. The perspective is astounding - the buildings are so tall that no trees can obscure them. It's unfortunate that the castle itself hasn't survived, only its foundations. It must have been impressive in its time, yet it's wonderful that the area has become a garden instead of being developed into residential land.

I feel that even though I spent quite a bit of time in the gardens, I only scratched the surface. For me, this isn't an issue—living here means I can always visit again :)