Imperial Guard Headquarters

The former imperial guard headquarters stands in the Kitanomaru district of Tokyo and displays Gothic construction features through its two-story brick front. An octagonal tower marks the central entrance, while the slate roof shapes the historic silhouette.

Army engineer Tamura Yasushi completed the building in 1910 for the Japanese imperial guard. After World War II ended, military use ceased and the site received national cultural property status in 1972.

The name comes from the imperial guard that directed its operations here until 1945, reporting directly to the monarch. Today the building belongs to the National Museum of Modern Art and serves administrative purposes, while its red brick facade remains a popular subject for visitors with cameras.

The walk from Takebashi Station exit 1B takes about three minutes, while the route from Kudanshita Station requires around twelve minutes. Access goes through the Kitanomaru Park grounds, where wide paths run through quiet green spaces.

The building survived both the great Kanto earthquake of 1923 and wartime bombing raids with minimal damage. This double resilience makes it a rare example of the durability of western construction techniques from the Meiji era in Japan.

Inception: 1947

Website: https://npa.go.jp/kougu

GPS coordinates: 35.68533,139.75853

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:41