Edo Castle, or Edo-jo in Japanese, lies right in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. It is surrounded by skyscrapers and bustling city streets. Until 1868, it was the stronghold of the Tokugawa family. Today, the Emperor and his family live in a palace surrounded by gardens on the grounds of Edo Castle.
If you look closely, you will notice that Edo Castle's walls are made of stone. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, received Edo Castle and the surrounding area from Toyotomi Hideyoshi and realized that it was ideally situated for military purposes. Beginning in 1603, he brought stone from other parts of Japan and built the walls and moats that now surround Edo Castle. The castle became his headquarters and, eventually, the seat of power in Japan.
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Photo © Steve Parode
There is so much history in castles. I’m often wondering if they are haunted. Can’t help wondering if they have a sump-pump in place since it looks like the castle is right on the water. I like the architecture.
I frequently encounter Edo as the answer to a crossword clue: old Japanese capital. But I didn’t know anything else about it. Nice photo!
I’ve read about Edo, so it’s interesting to actually see it. Last week my son was watching TV about a couple searching for a house in Tokyo suddenly I saw the distinctive foam sculpture featured in your last week WW
Seems like a haven among the hustle and bustle of the city. So beautiful!
What a wonderful photo and an interesting landmark.