Bet you’re wondering “What exactly am I looking at here?” right?

Hee hee hee, we’re actually looking at the site of a handsome pre-war Western-style residence! The Imperial Household Agency used to host many foreign guests during the Meiji era. That’s why they built this residence, you see.

I see some rocks over there. Let’s see what they have to say.

Hey there! You must be one of the cornerstones of the old house, right?

“You got that right! I stood here meetin’, greetin’, and welcomin’ the wider world to Japan!”

Great! So, er… What exactly is a cornerstone, again?

“We cornerstones are the foundation – the bedrock! – over which posts and pillars are built. Basically, I was like that Atlas gentleman, carryin’ this entire home on my shoulders!”

And what kind of guests did you see?

“Imperial guests and diplomats from all over the world! They came through in their fancy top hats and dresses, gapin’ and gawkin’ at the garden. Good times…A proper golden age.”

Then the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 happened. The old house burned to ash just over a century ago.
On that note, let’s turn right and continue. Let’s stroll clockwise along with the flow of time in this park.