Ōte-mon Gate (Gate to the East Gardens) — Attraction in Tokyo

Ōte-mon Gate is a historic gate located within the grounds of Edo Castle, now known as the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, Japan. The gate was originally built in the 17th century during the Edo period and served as the main entrance to the castle.

The name "Ōte-mon" means "Great Hand Gate," which refers to the two large statues of deities that stand on either side of the gate, each with a large hand raised in a gesture of protection. The gate was an important defensive structure, with a drawbridge and iron-plated doors that could be closed to protect the castle from attack.

Ōte-mon Gate was also the site of important ceremonial events, such as the arrival of foreign delegations and the departure of the shogun on official business. During the Meiji Restoration, when the shogunate was overthrown and the emperor was restored to power, Ōte-mon Gate was the site of a famous battle between imperial forces and loyalists to the shogun.

Today, Ōte-mon Gate is one of the few surviving structures within the Imperial Palace complex that dates back to the Edo period. It is an important cultural landmark that offers visitors a glimpse into Japan's rich history and heritage.

Visitors can enter here to view the Imperial Palace gardens that are open most week days except Mondays, and which offer stunning views of the palace and its surrounding structures.

Overall, Ōte-mon Gate is a fascinating historic location that is not to be missed for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture. Its impressive architecture and important role in Japan's history make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Tokyo.

Please check ahead of time to confirm the gardens are open when you...

大手門 〒100-0001 東京都千代田区千代田1-1　江戸城跡

手荷物チェックをうけて問題がなければ、誰でも、この大手門をくぐり江戸城跡を見学することができます。 大手門に入る手前と、入ってからの２個所案内板があります。入る手前の英文の表記内容が丁寧でわかりやすく書かれていると思います。 「これは江戸城の本丸へ入るための正門であり、城門の警備は少なくとも10万石（土地は米の生産量で測られ、1石は約150kgの米で、一人の男が一年間食べるのに十分な量）以上の譜代大名(徳川家を支えた封建領主)によって構成されていた。門の建設は1606年に藤堂高虎によって行われ、1657年の明暦の大火で焼失した後、1659年に再建された。 目の前にある現在の高麗門(小規模な三層構造の門)は1659年のもので、渡櫓門(二層構造で上層に櫓または部屋がある門)は1966年に再建されました。旧渡り屋敷門から移設された門柱には鯱(しゃちほこ)が掲げられ、「明暦3年(1657年)酉年」の銘が刻まれている。」

●手前の案内板 大手門 Ote-mon Gate この門は、江戸城本丸登城の正門で、城門警護は10万石以上の譜代大名が務めていました。門の建設は1606年(慶長11年)に藤堂高虎(とうどうたがとら)が行ったとされ、1657年(明暦3年)明暦の大火で焼失した後1659年(万治2年)に再建されました。 現在の門は、手前の高麗門が1659年、渡櫓(わたりやぐら)門は1966年(昭和41年)に再建された建築物です。門内には「明暦三丁酉(ひのととり)」の記銘がある旧大手門渡櫓の鯱(しゃち)が置かれています。

This was the main gate for those entering the main keep of Edo Castle, and the guards of the castle gate consisted of fudai daimyō (feudal lords who had supported the ruling Tokugawa house) with at least 100,000 koku (land was measured by the amount of rice produced; one koku was around 150kg of rice, enough to feed one man for a year). The construction of the gate was carried out by Tōdō Takatora in 1606, and it was reconstructed in 1659 after it was destroyed in the great Meireki Fire (1657). The present Kōrai Gate (a small, three-roofed gate) in front of you dates to 1659, and the Watariyagura Gate (a two-story gate,with a tower or room on the upper story) was rebuilt in 1966. There is a shachihoko (a mythical tiger-headed carp) inside the gate from the former Watariyagura Gate, with the inscription "Meireki 3, year of the rooster"

江戸時代の大名登城の様子 市岡正一「徳川盛世録」博文社、1889年 Front view of Ote-mon Gate during the Edo Period (17th 19th century) 千代田区教育委員会蔵

江戸城を取り巻く地形と文化財 Map of Edo Castle 千代田区 Chiyoda City

●大手門をくぐってからの案内板 大手門 Otemon Gate 大手門は江戸城の正門で、諸大名がこの門から登城しました。大小2つの門に囲まれた枡形は、侵入する敵を阻止・攻撃し易い構造になっています。 大きい方の門は、昭和20年(1945年)4月の空襲で焼失し、昭和42年(1967年)に復元されました。焼失前の門の屋根に飾られていた鯱には、頭部に「明暦三丁酉」(1657年)と刻まれています この明暦3年には、江戸城の多くの建物が焼失した明暦の大火が起きており、鯱は、大火の後、江戸城再建時に製作されたものと考えられます。 During the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867), the Otemon Gate served as the main gate of Edo Castle, and it was used by the shogun and feudal lords. It consists of two gates, one small and one large, set at right angles. This was a device to slow down the momentum of attackers, and to trap the enemy in an enclosed space where they could be fired on from the larger gate's upper story. The larger gate was rebuilt in 1967 after being destroyed in an air raid during World War II. The decorative mythical sea creature beside this panel is from the roof of the original gate, where it acted as a talisman against fire. The date 1657 is inscribed on its head.

明治初期の大手門渡櫓 「鹿鳴館秘蔵写真帖」より(一般社団法人霞会館蔵) Otemon in the early Meiji period (1868-1912) From Secret Photograph Collection at the Rokumeikan (Kasumi...

Amazing to see the EDO Jo castle! The ote-mon was the main gate of the EDO Jo and has the korai-mon gate and the watari-yagura-mon gate. After crossing the bridge, you reach the korai-mon, which was built in the seventeen's century. And after passing the korai-mon, you stand on a square place. Enemies entering the gate should have been shot here by samurai hiding in the diffence house. On the right side, you see a gate again. This gate is called watariyagura-mon. This is built in a diffence house and samurai can hide and shoot...