Seimon Ishibashi — Attraction in Tokyo

Located just a few minutes walk from Tokyo Station, the Seimon Ishibashi, or Main Gate Bridge, is an integral part of the Imperial Palace's grand entrance. Known for its high arch, the stone bridge casts a perfect circular reflection in the water below, creating a beautiful image of the bridge and the white Turret beyond.

While the Seimon Ishibashi and the palace grounds are generally not open to the public, the nearby Imperial Palace Plaza provides an excellent vantage point to admire the bridge's unique architecture and its tranquil surroundings.

Near the Seimon Ishibashi, there are two other historically significant entrances to the Imperial Palace: the Sakuradamon Gate and the Ote-mon Gate. Sakuradamon Gate, the largest of the Imperial Palace, is named after the cherry blossoms that once surrounded it, bearing witness to crucial events in Japan's history.

A short distance in the other direction is Ote-mon Gate, another entrance to the palace gardens, but which is open to the public. Historically, the Ote-mon Gate served as a critical defensive structure during the Edo period and now provides a perfect entry point to view the Imperial Palace grounds.

A visit to the Seimon Ishibashi and surrounds not only offers a glimpse of beautiful architecture but also allows you to soak in Japan's rich cultural heritage and history.

On special occasions, like the Emperor's Birthday on February 23rd and the New Year's Greeting on January 2nd, the palace grounds via the Seimon Ishibashi are opened to the public, offering an exclusive chance to experience these cultural...

Main gate stone bridge Beautiful and amazing architecture!

From the website; 2 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Sakuradamon Station, Hibiya Nijubashi, which spans in front of the main gate of the Imperial Palace, is a 3-minute walk from Nijubashi Station. Also known as

Ni-no-hashi'' or

Seimon Iron Bridge'', and the stone bridge in the front is the Seimon Ishibashi''. It is often misunderstood that Nijubashi'' is a generic term for these two bridges, but officially Nijubashi'' refers to the

Beautiful and iconic bridge in front of the Imperial Palace!

Seimon Ishibashi is a stunning stone bridge right at the main entrance to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Many people confuse it with “Nijubashi,” but this is actually the front bridge — made of solid granite arches that reflect beautifully in the moat below.

You can’t cross the bridge itself, but the view from the public area is absolutely worth it. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Japan and feels calm and majestic despite being in the middle of the city.

🌅 Tip: Visit early in the morning or around sunset for the best light and fewer crowds.

📸 A must-see for anyone who loves history, architecture, or simply...