Nijūbashi, Steel bridge at Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Nijūbashi consists of two consecutive structures spanning the palace moat: first a stone arch in the foreground, then an iron construction behind it that leads directly toward the inner palace grounds. The front stone section displays two elegant arches over the water, while the rear metal portion shows a flatter form and runs between tall walls.
The original wooden structure from 1614 served as an approach to the shogun's castle during the Edo period and was replaced in 1888 with an iron span that met the needs of the Meiji Restoration. This rebuilding formed part of broader renovations to the palace grounds after the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
This entrance appears in countless photographs as a symbol of the capital and marks the boundary between public space and the imperial grounds. Visitors often gather near the gates to photograph its graceful form together with the surrounding gardens and walls.
The area in front of the front section is open daily and offers clear views of both structures from the outer plaza, with the best perspective from the southern bank of the moat. On two days each year the grounds open for public tours, allowing visitors to enter the inner grounds and see the rear section up close.
The name actually refers to the old wooden construction, which appeared to have two levels when viewed from certain angles due to a supporting pier in the water. Today the name is often misapplied to the two separate structures, though this interpretation arose only later.
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