posted on November 22, 2019

  Following the last month’s ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to people in Japan and abroad, the new emperor performed the Daijosai rite, a key imperial succession ritual, last week in a temporary Shinto shrine compound to make offerings, mainly rice, to Amaterasu Omikami and other Shinto gods. The legend has it that the emperors are the direct descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The Daijosai, or Great Thanksgiving Ceremony, took place within the compound called the Daijokyu, which was specially built in the East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen) of the Imperial Palace grounds. The complex, composed of some 30 buildings, is displayed to the public until December 8^th before being dismantled. Nearly 20,000 people flocked in on the first day, November 21^st, to have a glimpse of the structures used for the ceremony. Many also enjoyed a stroll in the East Gardens after the visit to the Daijokyu. Visitors are asked to come to the entrance of the Sakashita-mon Gate between 9am to 3pm, however, be sure to allow sufficient time to get to the entrance, especially on weekends when there will be a long line for security check. For fast access, take the exit B6 on the Chiyoda line or the exit 3 on the Yurakucho line to go in the direction of the Nijubashi bridge where the line starts forming. From November 30^th, the Inui Street will be also open to the public for the viewing of the autumn foliage in the Imperial Palace grounds.

Information on the visit  https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/daijyokyu-r01.html

Access map  https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/pdf/inui-r01aki-map2.pdf

Route map to the Daijokyu  https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/pdf/inui-r01aki-map1.pdf

Daijokyu

Higashi Gyoen