Ushigafuchi, Historic moat near Imperial Palace in Chiyoda-ku, Japan.
Ushigafuchi is a water-filled moat in Chiyoda-ku that once formed part of the Edo Castle complex. It sits in central Tokyo and creates a quiet green border around the historical palace grounds.
The moat was built during the construction of Edo Castle between 1593 and 1636 as a defensive system. It served as a key part of the fortifications protecting the shogunate headquarters in early modern Japan.
The water system reflects Japanese castle engineering principles, integrating natural water features with constructed defenses to protect the shogunate headquarters.
The moat sits within walking distance of several train stations, making it easy to reach from different parts of Tokyo. Walking around the water and nearby paths gives visitors a sense of the layout of the former castle grounds.
The moat remains part of an intricate network of waterways that spans 16 kilometers around the former castle complex.
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