（East Gardens of Imperial Palace）

進入「皇居東御苑」首先映入眼簾的是這一面石牆：

A stone wall appeared when we entered East Gardens of Imperial Palace:

繞道另一面一看，原來是「江戸城天守台」的遺跡：

Walked around the other side; this is the stone foundation of the main tower (tenshudai) of Edo Castle:

還有斜斜的步道可以走上去：

An incline is there for you to walk up the stone foundation:

在上面可以一眺整個「江戸城本丸」遺跡：

Upon the foundation you can see the residence of shogun:

外面如火如荼建設中的大樓全群們與天守台遺跡的對比：

A contrast of rush-constructing buildings outside and remain of main tower:

利用大小不一的石材相互填塞的建造技術：

A construction technical using stones of various sizes:

每棟大樓頂都好幾隻起重機，忙的不亦樂乎：

Several derricks were used in each building to speed up the construction:

下面的遊客就輕鬆得很了：

The tourists looked much relaxed:

休息完了把藍色帆布收起來：

Get the blue sheet sorted after a break:

穿和服賞花好搭！

The dressing that best fits flowers viewing — kimono!

超柔軟舒適的草皮：

Very soft and comfortable sward:

在古代一百個警衛駐守的「百人番所」：

In the past one hundred guards garrisoned in this long house (Hyakunin-Bansho):

舊江戶城「大手高麗門」與背後興建中的新豪宅：

The old Edo Castle’s Ote-Koraimon and the new constructing mansions behind:

「内堀通り」路旁的櫻花與「大手高麗門」：

Cherry blossoms on the Uchihori-Dori and Ote-Koraimon:

路旁的柳樹：

Willow aside the road:

其實皇居的周圍很多跑步的人，但有些跑步的人對行人不怎麼友善，要嘛就是很驚險地穿越人群，不然就是對行人喊讓開，很沒禮貌！但皇居內就宛如世外桃源了～不怎麼多的遊客、舒適的草皮與花樹、加上免費入場！有時間的話很值得一逛喔～

Actually there are many runners around Imperial Palace and some of them are very rude to the pedestrians; they either quickly and dangerously pass through or just shout to pedestrians "Step aside!". Other than that, the Imperial Palace is just like a peaceful heaven: not many visitors, comfortable sward and flowers and trees, plus free entrance!! It’s worthy visiting if you have some free time!