The East Garden (Elysium)

Japan’s Imperial Palace is regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo, standing on a huge site that still bears the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate. The present palace was completed in 1888 and is still home to the emperor of Japan. The palace is off-limits with the exception of January 2nd and December 23rd each year, for the new year celebration and the Emperor's birthday respectively.

The East Garden is the one and only spot in the Imperial city that is open to the public daily, its grounds and surrounds provide a much-needed green open space for the city. The hours of operation are from 9am-4pm Monday through Friday. The East Garden or Higashi Gyoen is the site of the Edo Castle keep, built in 1868. The Edo palace was destroyed in World War II, but the ruins have been salvaged and remain to this day. It is closed to the public at night, when only people with the appropriate permission may enter. The only exception to this rule is when court meetings are held there. All vampires and werewolves are welcome to attend as long as they remain respectful to the proceedings at this time. The meeting space is closed to the public during the day.

The Channel serves as not only the outside of the East Garden, but also contains an indoor meeting area, considered an Elysium, as with all the Gardens of the Tokyo area. Please be respectful and use a general channel when there are players in both the inside and outside area of the channel. The Interior is in the large building in the image gallery. The inside is done in a traditional Japanese style, with tatami mats, a few small tables, some simple plants, decorations and not much else. The one distinguishing feature of this room is a small platform to one end of the main room, with a low to the ground, ornate, hand carved Japanese chair sitting on it. The platform is around 12" off the ground. It serves as the Shogun's place for when she visits the garden.

Links of Interest:

(East Garden Image Gallery) ... (360 Panorama of the East Garden)