As a grand Daimyo, after arriving in Edo with a large entourage in a grand procession, it naturally wasn't appropriate for them to lower their status by staying at an inn. Of course, staying at the Shogunate's residence, Edo Castle, was also out of the question.
Therefore, to solve the housing issue for Daimyos, with a stroke of the pen by the Edo Shogunate, all Daimyos were gifted land in Edo to build their Daimyo Residences.
The design and structure of the Daimyo Residences were determined by the Daimyo's rank and salary, so just by observing the exterior of a residence, one could discern which domain's Daimyo it belonged to.
Those with exceptionally high status, the Great Daimyos, could own multiple residences. Each Daimyo could have up to three residences in Edo: the Upper Residence, Middle Residence, and Lower Residence.
