Bancho

The luxury of embracing the evocative atmosphere of Chidorigafuchi Park during the cherry blossom season and of strolling along a pedestrian path around the Imperial Palace as part of an ordinary routine cannot be savored anywhere else. During the Edo period, this area housed the residences of retainers of the shogun as well numerous schools, including Otsuma Women's Junior College and Nishogakusha University, as well as cultural facilities including the Yamatane Museum of Art (the exhibits of which consist primarily of Japanese paintings) and libraries. Tranquil residential neighborhoods extend down every street and alley in a way that is consistent with this environment. Among the many diplomatic missions in the area, the British Embassy is especially notable for its expansive site and the view of the Imperial Palace that is afforded from its location along Uchibori-dori. This vast piece of property was granted as a veritable Tokyo landmark to the British in recognition of the extensive contributions that were made to the Meiji Restoration.