Nijubashi

Nijubashi, meaning "double bridge," is the name given to two adjacent stone bridges crossing the moat in front of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The bridges form a distinctive approach to the palace grounds and are often photographed as a symbol of the Imperial Palace.

The Nijubashi bridges consist of two separate arched stone spans set side by side, separated by a small stone islet and a low parapet. The pair was built as part of Edo Castle’s defensive waterworks and has remained a visual landmark through subsequent reconstructions and changes to the palace complex. The current structures reflect centuries of repair and restoration, including work after damage sustained in the early 20th century and again following World War II.

Access to the Nijubashi area is restricted because it lies on private imperial property. Public viewing is typically possible from viewpoints outside the palace grounds, and occasional guided tours or special openings of nearby areas, such as the East Gardens, provide opportunities to observe the bridges from nearby vantage points.

Cultural significance of Nijubashi rests on its role as a recognizable emblem of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. It is frequently featured in photographs, guides, and media as a symbol of the Japanese monarchy and the historic landscape of central Tokyo. The term Nijubashi is broadly used to refer to the bridge ensemble and the surrounding palace approach rather than to a single, standalone structure.