I live in Meguro Ward Tokyo where is located about 7Km or 4.4 miles southwest from Imperial Place. Now the place is a popular residential area, but there was a falcon hunting grounds for Tokugawa Shogun in the Edo period(1603-1868). The Ward administration annually hold a walking event to trace Tokugawa Shogun's footprints. The 15th Walking Event will be held on November 3rd 2017 and this is the route for this year. You can see lots of historical aspects by walking around Tokyo.
Starting from Hibiya Park
The park is located next to Imperial Palace. The Palace used to be the residence of Tokugawa Shogun and was called Edo Castle. The Emperor Meiji moved Edo from Kyoto in 1868 and Edo changed its name to Tokyo and became the capital in 1869. Tokyo literally means 'East Kyoto.' The Hibiya Park opened in 1903.
Liberty Bell
This is a replica of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and was donated from people in the U.S.
A restaurant in the park
This restaurant was also established in 1903.
'Haniwa' Clay images
These dolls are called 'Haniwa' and they are replicas. Haniwas were originally made between late 3rd century and late 6th century. They were buried in the grave of the King as a substitute for sacrifice.
A historical building
This building was built in 1929. It was designed for earthquake resistant after the Great Kanto Earthquake.
Ginza willow, second generation
Ginza used to be wetlands, so cherry, maple or pine trees didn't grow up as street trees. Then willows were planted in 1877. All of willows were burned down during WW2. Willows were planted again after WW2 and this tree is the second generation after the WW2.
Former Shinbashi Station building (replica)
The first railway started its operation in 1872 between Shinbashi and Yokohama. The old station was reconstructed to commemorate the establishment of Japan Railway.
The old track
The headquarter of a broadcasting TV station
Nippon Television Network Corporation is the oldest commercial broadcasting TV station in Japan.
Hayao Miyazaki's big clock
The gimmick clock sings at noon, 3, 6, 8 p.m. on every weekday plus 10 a.m. on weekends.
A cannel
This is the back side of Hama Imperial Villa (current Hama Royal Garden).
The Takeshiba Wharf Park
Passenger liners to Izu Seven Islands or Ogasawara Islands leave this port. It's good place to have rest.
The Shin-shiba Park
This park is located at the river mouth of the Furukawa River. We go up walking along the river.
Tokyo Tower from Akabane-bashi bridge
This is one of the best places to see the Tokyo Tower.
River is a memory of the land. Rain water and spring water have been carving the land through thousands of years. Furukawa river is a typical urban stream, so it was modified to avoid flood and supported the life of people. Most of Furukawa river is covered by the Metropolitan expressway in order to support the development of Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Although the Furukawa river changed from it used to be, we can see some memories and history from the river. I love to walk along rivers. It's fun!
Keio University elementary school
Keio University is one of the best universities in Japan. 'It is said that heaven does not create one man above or below another man.' is the motto of the founder Yukichi FUKUZAWA.
This place is called Tengenji-bashi and the start of the Furukawa river. The upper stream of this river is called the Shibuya-gawa river. The Shibuya-gawa river starts from Shinjuku-gyoen, or Shinjuku Imperial Gardens, runs through Harajuku area and Shibuya area. A tributary stream called Kogai-gawa river joins Shibuya-gawa river at Tengenji-bashi and lower stream is called the Furukawa river.
There is a slope called Chaya-zaka in Meguro ward. 'Chaya' means cafe and 'zaka' means slope, so it's literary means slope of cafe. The party of Tokugawa Shogun had a rest at the cafe. We can see the statement of delivery from this cafe at the Meguro history museum.
Edo period and the monarchy based on the feudal system ended 150 years ago, but Edo period is the longest term without big war and lasted 260 years. We are still able to see footprints form that peaceful era. Why don't you trace such kind of footprints?