Tenshu Stone Tower Base, Tokyo
Now, here's the ghost of a giant鈥攚ell, the stone base of one... This is all that鈥檚 left of the Tenshu tower, a once-mighty centerpiece of Edo Castle in Tokyo. Think of it as the Shogunate鈥檚 version of a skyscraper鈥� if skyscrapers wore samurai armor.
Originally commissioned by the second Tokugawa shogun, Hidetada, back in 1607, this stone giant was upgraded in 1622鈥攂ecause castles do need renovations from time to time鈥攁nd was finally topped off in 1638 by his successor, Tokugawa Iemitsu. The finished tower stood a staggering 58 meters tall, with five floors reaching for the sky and one tucked beneath the earth鈥攑resumably for secret samurai meetings or really intense tea ceremonies.
It wasn't just big; it was a flex鈥攁 massive symbol of Tokugawa power. But in 1657, along came the Meireki fire, which didn鈥檛 quite tolerate tall things and burned down 70% of Edo, including the Tenshu tower. Following that, it was never rebuilt.
Today, all that remains is the stone foundation鈥攕toic, robust, and reminding of the grandeur there once was. The survivor of time and flame, it鈥檚 an attraction in its own right. The rest of Edo Castle now serves as the imperial residence, but this chunk of history is open to the public. You can climb to the top, take in the view, and try to imagine what used to be here: a towering titan of stone, pride of the Tokugawa shoguns, and now... just one of the world's most majestic ruins.
Originally commissioned by the second Tokugawa shogun, Hidetada, back in 1607, this stone giant was upgraded in 1622鈥攂ecause castles do need renovations from time to time鈥攁nd was finally topped off in 1638 by his successor, Tokugawa Iemitsu. The finished tower stood a staggering 58 meters tall, with five floors reaching for the sky and one tucked beneath the earth鈥攑resumably for secret samurai meetings or really intense tea ceremonies.
It wasn't just big; it was a flex鈥攁 massive symbol of Tokugawa power. But in 1657, along came the Meireki fire, which didn鈥檛 quite tolerate tall things and burned down 70% of Edo, including the Tenshu tower. Following that, it was never rebuilt.
Today, all that remains is the stone foundation鈥攕toic, robust, and reminding of the grandeur there once was. The survivor of time and flame, it鈥檚 an attraction in its own right. The rest of Edo Castle now serves as the imperial residence, but this chunk of history is open to the public. You can climb to the top, take in the view, and try to imagine what used to be here: a towering titan of stone, pride of the Tokugawa shoguns, and now... just one of the world's most majestic ruins.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Tenshu Stone Tower Base on Map
Sight Name: Tenshu Stone Tower Base
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tokyo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Yanaka Walking Tour
A bit away from Downtown Tokyo, Yanaka is a hidden spot with a lot to offer. This neighborhood is known for its narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, and old-style shops. Having largely escaped the damage of World War II, Yanaka exudes the last-century charm of Tokyo's old town ambiance.
With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Asakusa District Walking Tour
Asakusa 鈥� Tokyo鈥檚 delightful time machine with a modern metro stop. This is one of the rare areas in the city where you will find narrow alleys, traditional shops, temple markets, and geisha whispers still echoing off the rooftops. Think of it as Old Tokyo in HD.
Back in the Edo period (between 1603 and 1868), Asakusa got its groove thanks to some very rich guys 鈥� the rice storehouse... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Back in the Edo period (between 1603 and 1868), Asakusa got its groove thanks to some very rich guys 鈥� the rice storehouse... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tokyo Imperial Palace Walking Tour
Welcome to Tokyo鈥檚 greenest royal secret鈥擳he Imperial Palace鈥攁 majestic sprawl of tradition, tranquility, and top-tier landscaping. This is where Japan鈥檚 Emperor hangs his crown (figuratively speaking), nestled right in the city鈥檚 beating heart and surrounded by moats like something straight out of a storybook... or a really classy samurai movie.
Now, before you grab your crown and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Now, before you grab your crown and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Shinjuku Walking Tour
Known as the best entertainment district in Tokyo, Shinjuku abounds in venues where visitors can play, eat, and shop to their hearts' content all day long. Besides the endless list of fun, shopping, and dining options available, the district also offers some truly amazing sightseeing opportunities which are often underrated.
One of its iconic landmarks is the two towers of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One of its iconic landmarks is the two towers of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Shibuya Walking Tour
Ah, Shibuya... If Tokyo were a giant party, this district would be the dance floor. A neon-lit playground where fashion-forward teens, pop culture fiends, and wide-eyed tourists collide in a kaleidoscope of color, style, and pure urban energy.
But before it became Japan鈥檚 trendsetting capital, Shibuya had a different kind of ruling class鈥攖he Shibuya clan. Back in the 1160s, they ran this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
But before it became Japan鈥檚 trendsetting capital, Shibuya had a different kind of ruling class鈥攖he Shibuya clan. Back in the 1160s, they ran this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Ueno Park Walking Tour
Ueno Park is Tokyo鈥檚 ultimate mashup of history, nature, and culture! It started as part of the powerful Kanei-ji Temple during the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. Back then, samurais roamed and shoguns ruled the country. In the 1870s, as Japan embraced modernization, the area was gentrified, turning into a public park. Today, it's a major attraction for travelers craving both a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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