Hibiya Park Citywalk

🌟Highlights: Hibiya Park is the oldest Western-style park in Japan, with a history of more than 100 years. The Western-style lamp posts and wash basins are still preserved on the roadside. Hibiya means "bay" or "cape" in Japanese. The name comes from the Edo period, when the area was a bay. After Tokugawa Ieyasu came to power in Edo, he transformed the area - a large hat-shaped reef still remains - filled the bay and built daimyo residences (noble residences), called "Soto Sakurada". During the Meiji era, Hibiya became a base for international diplomacy, with the famous "Rokumeikan" and "Imperial Hotel" both located here. In the first half of the last century, Hibiya Park witnessed the rise of Japan's Meiji Restoration and the arrogance and hubris that accompanied it. Many activities of the "military empire" were carried out here. Because of its proximity to the Imperial Palace, Hibiya Park survived the Tokyo bombing. Today, Hibiya Park is a public green park in the center of Tokyo. Tall trees over a hundred years old cast rich green shade, and tulips, cherry blossoms and other colorful flowers appear in turn throughout the seasons. In the park there is a Liberty Bell donated by the United States. It has the same structure and size as the Liberty Bell built at the founding of the United States in Philadelphia. The inscription reads "Dedicated to you, the free people of a free country". Considering the history of the first half of the last century, one cannot help but sigh. From the shogun's territory, to the emperor's subjects' playground, to the citizens' green space, perhaps this is the true interpretation of the evolution of freedom. 👍Most Recommended: [Heart] In the idol’s mind, Hibiya Park is the place to check in on the bench where Leslie Cheung once sat. [Heart] In the eyes of gourmets, a must-visit is Matsumotoro Restaurant, which is the earliest and most famous Western restaurant in Japan. Its owner was the matchmaker between Soong Ching Ling and Sun Yat-sen, and there are photos of Soong and Sun in the restaurant. [Heart] There are many famous theaters nearby, such as the Imperial Theater, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater and Nissei Theater. It is the heart of Tokyo's theater and is a great place to take a citywalk along the street.