World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseTokyo, Japan had been the home of the Japanese Imperial Family since Emperor Meiji relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. Between 1888 and 1948, the entire complex was referred to as the Palace Castle (Kyujo). Most of the buildings in the complex seen during the WW2-era were built after Emperor Meiji's arrival, including the castle itself, which was built in 1888 (after the previous castle was destroyed by a fire on 5 May 1873). The main Palace Hall (Kyuden), ie. the very "Imperial Palace", was the largest structure on the grounds; this focal structure of the complex was where guests of the Emperor were received. In the late Taisho and early Showa periods, more concrete buildings were added to house the headquarters of the Imperial Household Ministry, the Privy Council, and others. Most of the buildings at the Palace Castle complex were destroyed during WW2, many of which during the raid of 25 May 1945 (24 May in most US records). By this time, Emperor Showa was spending significant parts of his day in a underground shelter, which was referred to as His Majesty's Library (Obunko Fuzokushitsu). After the war, in 1948, the western part of the complex was renamed Imperial Residence (Kokyo) and the eastern part was renamed East Garden (Higashi-Gyoen). In the 1960s, a new main Palace Hall was constructed. In 1968, the East Garden became a public park.

Imperial Palace Complex Interactive Map

Photographs

Imperial Palace Complex Timeline