Kudan: From Yasukuni-jinja Shrine to Chidorigafuchi, Kitanomaru Park, and The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

This walking course begins at Kudanshita Station with a visit to Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, followed by a southward stroll along the greenway beside Chidorigafuchi. After passing through Kitanomaru Park on the eastern side across Chidorigafuchi, the tour concludes at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo in Takebashi.

History and Regional Appeal

The area stretching from Kudan to Takebashi retains landscapes from the era of Edo Castle. Chidorigafuchi is a moat created in the early Edo period by damming a river to form a reservoir, and it is explained that around the time the Edo shogunate was established, it functioned as a dam to secure water supplies. In the Kitanomaru area on its east side, residences of the Tayasu Tokugawa and Shimizu Tokugawa families were established during the reigns of the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, and the ninth shogun, Tokugawa Ieshige.

Entering the Meiji period, Shokonsha was built on this site in Kudan in 1869 (Meiji 2), and was renamed to its current name, Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, in 1879 (Meiji 12). From the Meiji period onward, Kitanomaru was used as barracks and related facilities for the Imperial Guard.

After World War II, Kitanomaru was developed as a forest park integrated with the Imperial Palace and was opened widely to the public in 1969 (Showa 44). In the same year, the present building of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo was completed within the park. In spring, famous cherry blossom spots appear in succession, from the grounds of Yasukuni-jinja Shrine to Chidorigafuchi Greenway and Kitanomaru Park.

Major Highlights

• ​Yasukuni-jinja Shrine​​: Over 2,466,000 divinities (spirits of war dead from the Boshin War through World War II and others) are enshrined here. Along the approach between the 25-meter-high First Torii Gate and the Second Torii Gate stands a bronze statue of Omura Masujiro, who contributed to the founding of Yasukuni-jinja Shrine. According to the shrine, the Second Torii Gate is the largest bronze torii gate in Japan. There are approximately 400 cherry trees on the grounds, including the Yoshino cherry tree used as Tokyo's benchmark tree for declaring the start of the blossoming season.
• ​Chidorigafuchi Greenway​​: A promenade about 700 meters long extending along Chidorigafuchi, a moat on the western side of the Imperial Palace. About 230 cherry trees, including Yoshino cherry and Oshima cherry trees, bloom overhead, allowing visitors to feel as if they are walking through a tunnel of blossoms. A boat pier is located halfway along the greenway, offering views from the water of the moat as well.
• ​Kitanomaru Park​​: A forest park located on the former site of Edo Castle's Kitanomaru (northern enclosure). Tayasumon Gate, which faces Yasukuni-dori Street on the north side, is the oldest existing architectural remnant of Edo Castle and is designated as an Important Cultural Property along with Shimizumon Gate. Visitors can enjoy more than 200 cherry trees in spring and autumn foliage at Mount Momiji in autumn. Nippon Budokan, where judo competitions were held during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is also located within this park.
• ​The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo​​: Opened in 1952 (Showa 27) as Japan's first national art museum. Holding close to 14,000 works of modern and contemporary art, its collection exhibition "MOMAT Collection" traces the flow of Japanese art from the late 19th century to the present day. From the top-floor observation lounge "A Room with a View," visitors can look out over the Imperial Palace and the buildings of Marunouchi.

Suggested Route & Estimated Time

The estimated time required is about 4 hours. From Exit 1 of Kudanshita Station, proceed along Yasukuni-dori Street; after about a 5-minute walk, the large First Torii Gate will appear on your right. After worshiping, head southeast about 500 meters to Chidorigafuchi Greenway. The greenway stretches from Yasukuni-dori Street to the entrance of the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery and is walked from north to south. On Saturdays and Sundays during the cherry blossom illumination period, the greenway becomes one-way in this direction. There are no kiosks or restaurants along the greenway, so it is advisable to prepare drinks in advance.

After walking to the southern end of the greenway, head over to Kitanomaru Park on the eastern side across Chidorigafuchi. On the Chidorigafuchi side of the park, there is a walking path along the embankment, where the cherry blossoms viewed from above droop their branches down toward the water surface of the moat. Inside the park, you can also extend your walk to Tayasumon Gate and Nippon Budokan. Finally, head to The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, located about 390 meters southeast of the park. After your visit, it is about a 3-minute walk to Exit 1b of Takebashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

Summary of the Experience

A moat created in the early Edo period by damming a river, a shrine built in the Meiji period, and a park and art museum opened after the war. In the short route from Kudan to Takebashi, historical eras from Edo to the present day are aligned side by side. During the cherry blossom season, try comparing the blossoms from different vantage points, moving between the shrine precincts, the greenway along the moat, and the embankment of Kitanomaru.