This photo is a side view of Kikyō-Mon Gate, which is not normally open to the general public, but it is used as a side entrance for Imperial Palace volunteers and authorized visitors.
Its official name is Uchi-Sakuradamon, but has been more commonly known as Kikyō-Mon (桔梗門), which is named after the bellflower family crest that were inscribed onto the round eave-end roof pendant tiles of the gate roof.
The gate was built in 1614, and the stone walls along the Kikyo Moat were constructed in 1620. However, other structures of Edo Castle had started construction much earlier in 1457.
At its peak, Edo Castle had 36 gates. Nowadays, only 11 gates remain intact, and are primarily used as security checkpoints to the Imperial Palace.
I am not a huge fan of taking pictures on clear sunny afternoons, but on this particular photo walk, the clear blue winter skies and calm air made for a good opportunity to capture reflections of the structures and stone walls on the surface of the moat waters.
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This photo is a side view of Kikyō-Mon Gate, which is not normally open to the general public, but it is used as a side entrance for Imperial Palace volunteers and authorized visitors.
Its official name is Uchi-Sakuradamon, but has been more commonly known as Kikyō-Mon (桔梗門), which is named after the bellflower family crest that were inscribed onto the round eave-end roof pendant tiles of the gate roof.
The gate was built in 1614, and the stone walls along the Kikyo Moat were constructed in 1620. However, other structures of Edo Castle had started construction much earlier in 1457.
At its peak, Edo Castle had 36 gates. Nowadays, only 11 gates remain intact, and are primarily used as security checkpoints to the Imperial Palace.
I am not a huge fan of taking pictures on clear sunny afternoons, but on this particular photo walk, the clear blue winter skies and calm air made for a good opportunity to capture reflections of the structures and stone walls on the surface of the moat waters.
Location: Imperial Palace, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Timestamp: 2025/01/02・11:21
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 320 for 1/500 sec. at ƒ/9.0
Provia/Standard film simulation