"Japan Exploration Academic Variety: Tuesday's Yoshizumi Kotaro" (Tuesdays at 7 PM), a TV Asahi variety show hosted by Yoshizumi Ishihara and Kotaro Koizumi, explores the wonders of various famous places in Japan, including World Heritage sites and hidden gems. In the two-hour special airing on April 14th, they will unravel the mysteries of Edo Castle together with guest Issei Takahashi.
Near Iidabashi Station, Takahashi, who says, "I love history, old maps, and stone walls," surprised Yoshizumi and Kotaro by explaining the structure and techniques of the stone wall at the site of Ushigome Gate, saying, "This is kirikomi-hagi (cut and fitted joint). The way the stones are stacked here is sangi-zumi (square block stacking). This increases the strength."
At Hibiya Park, visitors are amazed by the historical fact that the surrounding area was once a sea called "Hibiya Inlet," and that Tokugawa Ieyasu reclaimed the land in just a few years, developing it into a castle town. The Edo Castle keep, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, was one of the largest in Japan, reaching approximately 70 meters in height, but it was never rebuilt because priority was given to the reconstruction of the town. The phantom keep, with its exterior and interior structure brought back to life using the latest CG technology, will be unveiled.
In Kasumigaseki, we were given special access to a top-secret area within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism grounds that is normally off-limits. There, we found stones that were used in the stone walls of the Asano family's residence, famous for the Ako samurai of the Chushingura story. This highlights how many residences of powerful tozama daimyo (outside lords) were located near Kasumigaseki, creating a defensive line to protect Edo Castle in times of need.
Born and raised in Tokyo, Takahashi considers Akasaka, a place she visited on this trip, her hometown. She reminisces about cycling to school and running around the Imperial Palace grounds during her middle school years. She also reveals her active side, stating that her hobby is mountain climbing, and that on weekends she and her friends pack tents and head to Okutama and the Japanese Alps, even trying ice climbing.
Furthermore, Takahashi, who is a history enthusiast, appealed to Yoshizumi and Kotaro, saying, "I want to come back again when we have a break from filming (for the drama)! I want to aim to become a regular on (this program)!"
