Obansho Guardhouse

Historical landmark • 1-3 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0001, Japan

4(72 reviews)

Guardians of Edo Castle, the Otemon Guardhouse

Edo Castle, the symbol of Edo. One of the historical buildings that conveys its historical value to the present day is the 'Otemon Guardhouse'. The formality of the warrior society is condensed in this small guardhouse.

The Last Gatekeeper of the Honmaru

The Otemon Guardhouse is a single-story building located to the right of the Otemon , the main gate of Edo Castle Honmaru, and to the left of the Chumon Gate Site. It was moved to its present location in 1635, and high-ranking warriors called 'O-Ban' were stationed here, responsible for guarding the Shogun and performing ceremonial duties.

A Key Point of Defense Surrounded by Huge Stones

The Chumon Gate is constructed with the largest stones in Edo Castle. This small guardhouse was the final checkpoint to the Honmaru, and the presence of high-ranking warriors for defense was due to its important location.

The Restored Appearance of the Guardhouse

The present Otemon Guardhouse was restored in 1968, faithfully reproducing the 15-step stone stairs behind it, evoking the atmosphere of the past. From the appearance of the guardhouse, one can feel the formality and tension of the warrior society in Edo.

Access

5 minutes on foot from Toei Subway Otemachi Station and Tokyo Metro Otemachi Station, 10 minutes on foot from JR Tokyo Station.

Points of Interest

In addition to the Otemon Guardhouse, there are other historical sites scattered throughout the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, preserving the remnants of Edo Castle such as the Otemon Gate, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru. It is also interesting to take a stroll to visit these sites within the East Gardens, but advance application is required for admission. Please check the official website and take your time to follow the historical footsteps.

Historical landmark Tourist attraction Point of interest Establishment

Reviews

5(in the last week)

小林慶太

"Chiyoda: Obansho" Visited in May 2024. It was attached to a Japanese garden and was beautiful. The guard post was set up inside Ote Nakanomon, and it is said that high-ranking samurai were on duty there. The current appearance is a restored building built in 1968.

3(2 months ago)

Tadashi Yoshimura

Photographed on Thursday, March 14, 2024. A certain explanation: ``Obansho is a building located on the right after entering the Otesan gate of Edo Castle's Honmaru, and to the left of the inner gate.It is a one-story wooden building with a tiled roof built in 1635. Tokoro is an important guard post that protects the Ote San-no-mon Gate.In the early Edo period, it was called Goshoin Bansho, but in 1635 it was moved to its current location and renamed Obansho. The main guard station was staffed by samurai called the main guard.The main guard was made up of samurai from particularly high-class families among the hatamoto, and was responsible for duties such as guarding and ceremonial duties as a close aide to the shogun. I was in charge of that.”

5(5 months ago)

ばあばbaaba

🏣1-3 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 🚇️🚃…Otemachi Station, Tokyo Station 🚌…Tokyo Station, Otemachi * The East Garden of the Imperial Palace is a garden built on the remains of Edo Castle's Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru. Apparently, you can enter the garden from the Otemon, Hirakawamon, and Kita-Kikyoumon (Kitahanebashi) gates. The Naka-no-mon gate, which you enter through the Otesan-no-mon gate, is decorated with one of the largest megaliths in Edo Castle, and the main guard station is located next to it. The remaining guardhouses are Hyakunin Bansho, Doshin Bansho, and Oibansho. * It is said to have been restored in 1966, in conjunction with the opening of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. It seems that the 15 stone steps for shooting have also been restored behind it.

4(4 months ago)

kenji

It is said that high-ranking samurai were on duty at the guard post set up inside Ote Nakanomon. The current appearance is said to be a restored building built in 1968, but it still has an atmosphere. *Posted on December 23, 2023

5(4 months ago)

高橋正和

This is a guardhouse built inside the Nakamon Gate stone wall made of huge stones, and is the last guardhouse to the main enclosure of Edo Castle. It is guarded by Yoriki and Doshin who are higher in rank than other guardhouses, and as the name suggests, it is a dignified building befitting a ``large guardhouse.''

Provided by Google