Suzaku Avenue

Suzaku Avenue or Suzaku Boulevard (朱雀大路 Suzaku Ōji?) is the name given to the central avenue leading to the Imperial Palace from the south in Japanese capitals. Traditionally the Imperial palace complex faces south, whilst Suzaku Avenue leads directly away from the main gate. Cities were often based on a traditional Chinese grid pattern. Suzaku Avenue was typically the central road within the city grid, and as a result, the widest. Fujiwara-kyō, Heijō-kyō, and Heian-kyō had their own Suzaku Avenue.

Description

In Heian-kyō, present-day Kyoto, the Rashōmon (Rajōmon, Raseimon) was at the southern end of Suzaku Avenue, whilst at the northern end there was the main gate of Heian Palace. At that point Suzaku Avenue stopped being the central street, due to the gradual abandonment of the west of the city. Eventually the road served as the western boundary of the town, until the Meiji period. Presently it is still a major street, called Senbon Street or Senbon Avenue (千本通 Senbon Dōri?), and once served as a route for the city's tramline.

The word "Suzaku" refers to the Guardian God of the South, who was said to appear in the form of a bird.