
Guarding the East Gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Kikyō-mon is a beautifully reconstructed 17th-century gate that offers a striking look at Edo-period defense architecture. It is famous for its grand stone walls and the prominent bellflower crest of the samurai creator Ōto Dōkan carved into its tiles. While the gate itself is closed to the general public, it serves as the highly photogenic meeting point for official palace tours.
Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled Imperial Palace tour to photograph the reflection of the gate in the pristine moat water.



