Edo Castle - Tenshudai
This is all that remains of the great donjon at Edo-jo. The tenshu-kaku was once the largest in Japan and exceeded 58 meters in height before it was destroyed by fire in 1657. The stone base itself is over 10 meters high, which gives you an idea of how tall the rest must have been. I have seen Osaka-jo and the ruins of Azuchi-jo and it is hard to imagine this being larger than those. It must have been spectacular.
Edo-jo was largest castle ever built in Japan with a massive complex and towering, 58 meter tenshu. It was built by Ota Dokan in 1457, and later became the center of Tokugawa Ieyasu's bakufu. Prior to 1590, it was under control of the Hojo. However, they were defeated when Odawara was taken (and along with it, Edo-jo) by Hideyoshi and later transferred to Ieyasu. The grounds is somewhat restricted as it is has been the imperial residence, Kokyo, since the Meiji era. However, you can tour the grounds and garden and see the site of the original tenshu (donjon).
Edo Castle (Kokyo). Chiyoda, Tokyo.
Edo Castle - Tenshudai
This is all that remains of the great donjon at Edo-jo. The tenshu-kaku was once the largest in Japan and exceeded 58 meters in height before it was destroyed by fire in 1657. The stone base itself is over 10 meters high, which gives you an idea of how tall the rest must have been. I have seen Osaka-jo and the ruins of Azuchi-jo and it is hard to imagine this being larger than those. It must have been spectacular.
Edo-jo was largest castle ever built in Japan with a massive complex and towering, 58 meter tenshu. It was built by Ota Dokan in 1457, and later became the center of Tokugawa Ieyasu's bakufu. Prior to 1590, it was under control of the Hojo. However, they were defeated when Odawara was taken (and along with it, Edo-jo) by Hideyoshi and later transferred to Ieyasu. The grounds is somewhat restricted as it is has been the imperial residence, Kokyo, since the Meiji era. However, you can tour the grounds and garden and see the site of the original tenshu (donjon).
Edo Castle (Kokyo). Chiyoda, Tokyo.