First Visit To The Imperial Palace: Touring the Grounds During Daijosai

First Visit To The Imperial Palace

We had the once in a life time opportunity to enter the Imperial Palace Grounds and see the incredible structure assembled for this rare event know as "Daijōsai". These structures were recently constructed and then used in a centuries-old ceremony related to the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.

Visitors walk through the Imperial Palace grounds under a clear sky, with red autumn maples and office towers beyond.

The author in a grey fedora stands before the thatched halls of the Daijōkyū.

These incredible structures were constructed by Shinto priest carpenters, and is considered to be one of the very most sacred rituals in Shintoism, which is the foundation of the Way of Japan.

A close view of the Daijōkyū's unpainted timber frame and woven brushwood fence.

Gabled gateways of bare timber in front of the Daijōkyū halls.

Remember, Emperor Naruhito is the head of Shinto, and represents the Japanese people as a symbol of their peace and unity.

A row of the Daijōkyū's timber halls and brushwood walls in late-afternoon light.

Best wishes to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for a long reign over the health, peace, and prosperity of the Japanese people.

The palace moat at dusk, reflecting a wooded bank on one side and office towers on the other.

First Visit To The Imperial Palace

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