Kikyō-mon and the corner towers

Across the moat in front of you is Kikyō-mon. Kikyō is the Japanese bellflower, and the gate probably takes its name from the bellflower crest of Ōta Dōkan, the warrior whose residence once stood on the hill behind. Look at the round tiles at the ends of the roof, and you may spot that crest. In the Edo period this was one of only two gates where the great lords could enter with their processions. Today it is where visitors gather for tours of the palace grounds. Now look along the wall. On the corner stands Tatsumi-yagura, a two-storey tower named for its position south-east of the castle's centre. It is the last corner tower of Edo Castle still standing. It was damaged in the earthquake of 1923 and rebuilt to look just as it had. Further back, you can make out a taller, three-storey tower. This is Fujimi-yagura, the Mount Fuji viewing tower. After the main keep burned in 1657 and was never rebuilt, this tower became the symbol of the castle. Long ago, on a clear day, you could see Mount Fuji from its windows.