O-bansho Guardhouse and Nakano-mon Gate Ruins（Spot）|Chiyoda Tourism Association

Imperial Palace・ Tokyo Sta.・ Hibiya O-bansho Guardhouse and Nakano-mon Gate Ruins

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Passing through Otesan-mon Gate, you will find Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse on your left, and on your right, Nakano-mon. A Bansho (Guardhouse) was a defense station. Currently, Hyakunin Bansho, Doshin Bansho, and O-bansho are the only three remaining guardhouses. O-bansho was built inside the Otenakano-mon Gate and was said to have been guarded by the highest ranking samurai. Because it was the last guardhouse on the way to the inner citadel of Edo Castle, it is thought to have played an important security role. O-bansho Guardhouse has since been rebuilt, but 15 steps pockmarcked with old bulletholes remain as a testament to the powerful old architecture and the passage of time.