Marunouchi(
丸の内) is a commercial district of Tokyo located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name, meaning "within the castle walls", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat.
The district has been called Marunouchi since the Tokugawa era when the area fringing Edo Castle's outermost fortifications was filled with the estates of daimyo required to spend every other year in the capital. The daimyo were sent home after the fall of the Tokugawa and, after the threat of civil war was completely eliminated in the years following the Restoration, Marunouchi was appropriated by the Meiji government. On it was built ministries and military barracks, and a large parade ground was also established. Larger and more suitable land was found for these uses (the parade grounds were moved to Yoyogi), at which time the land was sold to the Iwasaki family, founders of Mitsubishi. In 1894, the first buildings of what would become known as "Londontown" were built; by 1922, more than 1/3rd of Japan's largest companies had located their headquarters in Marunouchi. Present-day Marunouchi is roughly defined extending from the Otemachi district in the north to Hibiya Park in the south; from the Imperial Palace moat east to Tokyo Station.
Map of a suggested walking tour in The Marunouchi District.
Front entrance to Tokyo Station in "London Town". Buildt in the 1920's.
Nice well kept garden in fron of The Tokyo Station.
Traditional Japanese couple arriving at Tokyo Station.
A band entertaining inside The Tokyo International Forum.
Business district between Tokyo Station and The Imperial Palace.
I thought I was Tokyo. Not Newark, NJ. The Prudential Building.
The Wadakura Water Fountain Park just east of The Imperial Palace.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya(日比谷 hibiya) was
a parade ground for the Japanese Army last century, and now the nations first western style park has become an oasis for tired workers who on sunny days gather at lunchtime and have a few minutes repose from office-related stress. On weekends, the place is popular among courting couples. Close to the Imperial Palace and a short walk from Ginza, the Park also has a library, public tennis courts, restaurants, a flower shop and an open-air arena where concerts are often held.
Map of Hibiya Park.
German Sunken Garden in Hibiya Park.
A little lake in Hibiya Park.
I was very surprised to see a Viking Rune Stone in the middle of Tokyo.
I was even more surprised to learn that the stone was erected due to a Scandinavian Airlines flight in 1957.
The National Diet of Japan
The National Diet of Japan (国会, kokkai) is Japan's legislature. It consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. As well as passing laws, the Diet is formally responsible for selecting the Prime Minister. The National Diet Building is located in Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Map of The National Diet Area
1. National Diet Building
2. Ministry of Finance
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
5. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Guarded entrance to The National Diet.
Main entrance to The Japanes Parliament.
The Japanese Flag flying over The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One of the secret ballot boxes used by The Japanese Parliament.
If the secret vote is stil a tie then they go to this second secret ballot box.
The Imperial throne.
Trying out one of the parliament seats. The stick to my right indicates that I'm present.
The actual Parliament.
Water fountain filled with ornamental domesticated Japanese Carp fish called Koi (Ε) located in the center of The Diet.
The Imperial Receiving Room.
Drive way up to the main entrance.
Picture taken from The Diet Park towards The Diet.
Kokyo
