Geihincan Palace
Japan Tō kyō -to, Minato-ku, Motoakasaka, 2
Description:
Tokyo's Akasaka district is rich in tourist attractions. A few minutes on foot west of New Otani is the Akasaka Rikyu Palace, whose official name is Geihincan (Governmental Guest Residence).
The palace building was built in the late Meiji period architectural style, reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles, in 1909 for Crown Prince Yoshihito. Later, the palace housed the Parliamentary Library, and in 1964 the building became the headquarters of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
After restoration in 1974, the palace began to bear its current name. Many of its interiors are real masterpieces of artists, sculptors, weavers, furniture designers. It is quite difficult to get inside the palace, but you can get an idea of European park art in the Japanese interpretation by walking along the paths around the palace and examining it from all sides.