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Complete Guide to the Tokyo Imperial Palace: Tour Reservations and the Best Ways to Enjoy Your Visit

The Emperor of Japan, one of the most revered symbols of Japan, resides in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. This is one of the tourist attractions with the largest number of visitors in the world. Built over 400 years ago, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is adorned with flowers all year round, with many natural and green spaces, and there are numerous sights to see within. All these are free for the public to view at their own pleasure, making it a great place to just drop by if you’re ever in the mood for a visit. We’ll walk you through some of these sights in the Tokyo Imperial Palace with photos!

Tokyo Imperial Palace is an oasis in the city

The statue of kusunoki masashige, with his undying loyalty for the emperor, the nijūbashi bridge, which leads to the inner palace, sakurada-mon: the largest existing gate to the tokyo imperial palace, ninomaru gardens, where you can enjoy nature to the fullest, the ruins of the donjon of edo castle, where you can see japan’s largest donjon, the inner palace, which you can visit if you make a reservation prior to visiting, book an unforgettable experience in tokyo.

In the Tokyo Imperial Palace, there are three main areas that you can visit, the East Gardens and Outer Gardens , which you can visit for a stroll without any prior reservations, and the Inner Palace, which requires reservations. The palace grounds span approximately 230 hectares (568 acres). Just a 15-minute walk away from Tokyo Station , the vast expanse of greenery and natural landscapes makes it an oasis amidst the towering skyscrapers of the big city. Adorned with a forest of black pine trees and benches along the walking route, the Outer Gardens are an excellent place where you can take breaks while taking for a leisurely stroll. First, we’ll introduce the Outer Gardens , which you can visit for free.

In 1900, the statue of Kusunoki Masashige was erected in the southeastern side of the Outer Palace, and is a popular photo spot, as one of the Three Great Copper Statues of Tokyo. The subject of the statue, Kusunoki Masashige, was a loyal samurai who served the 96th Emperor, Emperor Go-Daigo. He contributed immensely to overthrowing the Kamakura Shogunate, and is a beloved figure of the Japanese. As it is considered impolite for the face of the statue to face the imperial palace directly, one curious trait of the statue is that it faces the opposite direction of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The lively horse that the figure sits upon is another draw of the statue, and regardless of which angle you look at it, the balance of the sculpture looks equally beautiful.

One of the bridges constructed to reach the Inner Palace from the square in front of the Tokyo Imperial Palace is Nijūbashi Bridge, which was constructed in 1614. Renovated in 1888, and once more in 1964, its shape changed to become what it is now. The beautiful castle which you see behind the bridge is Fushimi -yagura, which was moved over from Kyoto in 1628, and the sight of it paired with Nijūbashi Bridge makes for a lovely view. The bridge is usually closed to the public, and only open twice a year, on the Emperor’s birthday and on New Year’s Day, when the public is permitted to enter the Inner Palace, where the Emperor greets the masses.

Built in 1612, the Sakurada-mon is the largest surviving gate to the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Destroyed in a fire during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, it was reconstructed into the steel storehouse structure that stands today. The contrast of the finely shaped stone bottom with the white storehouse above is a beautiful sight, and is a popular photo spot for tourists. The double structure of the inner and outer gates allows for a gap in between the two, and it is a great place to see the streets of Tokyo from afar. From the Outer Gardens , we introduced the Kusunoki Masashige statue, the Nijūbashi Bridge, and the Sakurada-mon gate. Next, let’s check out the East Gardens .

A garden with varied landscapes intended for walks and strolls, it was once the villa of shoguns. At approximately 20 hectares (49 acres), this large garden has plum blossoms in February, azaleas in April and May, irises in June, and maple in Autumn , and you can enjoy the changing scenery all throughout the year. The ponds in the garden are home to fish, turtles, and other small animals, and you can even see the Hirenaganishiki-goi, a breed of koi fish that is highly prized in Japan. Affectionately referred to as the Ninomaru Thicket for its forest -like atmosphere in the middle of the city, it’s a place where you can relax amidst nature .

Previously where Edo Castle stood, all that’s left at the Ruins of the Donjon of Edo Castle is its stone foundation. Standing at 11 meters high and 40 meters across on each side, it is a breathtaking sight up close, as the largest donjon in Japan. Destroyed in the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, all that’s left of the Edo Castle is the stone foundation, which still bears blackened areas and marks from the fire to this day. The area where the castle stood has become an observation deck instead, and a slope was constructed for easier access. From the top of the observation deck, you can catch a 360 degree panoramic view of the nature in the Imperial Palace surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo.

If you make a reservation beforehand, it’s possible to tour the Inner Palace. Besides making reservations on the day itself, reservations can be made over the internet as well, and can be done in a variety of languages including English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, amongst others.

Tours of the Inner Palace happen twice a day, once in the morning at 10:00 a.m., and once in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Reservations for the following month can be made starting from the 1st of the previous month, but due to the immense popularity of the tour, it can be quite difficult to get a reservation several days before your visit. Instead, it’s recommended to make your booking as soon as reservations open, on the 1st of the previous month.

On top of this, personal identification documents such as your passport are needed for entry, so do remember to bring them on the day of your visit. There is a smartphone application, “Imperial Palaces Guide”, available for download. The application provides audio tours, and like the home page, is available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. It’s recommended that you download the application before the tour itself, and on the day of the tour, you can request for an English speaking guide to bring you around too.

Within the Inner Palace, there are shops too, where you can buy rare souvenirs. From Japanese sake and sweets , to dishware and Japanese wrapping cloths, these souvenirs bear the motif of the chrysanthemum flower, which is the symbol of the Japanese Imperial family. With so many items that are only available for sale here, be sure to check out the souvenir shop . Do be aware that you’ll only have a chance to buy souvenirs before the tour starts, so take note! During the tour, you’ll get to see the Imperial Household Agency up close, which is a government agency responsible for handling matters related to the Imperial Family, as well as the Emperor’s residence within the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Do grab this chance to solemnly experience Japanese culture in this historic building. One of the draws of the Tokyo Imperial Palace is the different ways you can experience it, from a leisurely stroll through the East Gardens and Outer Gardens , to the tour of the Inner Palace where you can view the chambers of the Emperor himself. We introduced numerous places of interest within the Imperial Palace, and if you have opportunity, be sure to check them out!

• Address 1-1, Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111 View Map
• Nearest Station Nijubashimae "Marunouchi" Station （Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line） 10 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-3213-1111

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Tokyo Imperial Palace: Day Tour

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Signing up for a tour of Tokyo Imperial Palace is one of those things that I had been meaning to do for a long time, but figured I could do anytime so never actually bothered to register.

For those not already aware, Tokyo Imperial Palace is not generally open to members of the public. The closest tourists can usually get to the inner grounds is Seimonishi Bridge to take a picturesque photograph of the famous Nijubashi with Fushimi-Yagura Keep in the distance. There are only two occasions each year when the inner grounds are open to members of the public: 2 January for the New Year’s greeting and the Emperor’s birthday.

The Imperial Household Agency does, however, offer 75-minute tours of a limited section of the inner grounds. It used to be the case that you needed to reserve a place via the official website ; however, in a bid to accommodate the expected increase in tourism in the run up to the 2020 Olympics same-day registration has been possible since mid-2016.

So what of the tour itself? Well, as I mentioned, it is a very limited tour. It is entirely outside; you will not be able to enter any of the buildings in the grounds. The tour departs in groups of over 100 people with the guide taking you past several buildings, explaining a little about the history of each through a portable megaphone.

Given the number of people participating in the tour and the wide open spaces in which the guide gives his introductions, unless you’re at the front of the group you’re going to struggle to hear anything. Audio guides are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French and Spanish and can be download to iOS and Android via this link . They do also provide a pamphlet (and a sheet of A4 with translations) that give a one or two sentence explanation about each building, but the tour itself is only conducted in Japanese.

The tour starts from an administrative building near Kikyo-mon Gate . There is a security check before you go through, but there are no restrictions on photographs during the tour so you feel free to take your camera equipment (they only ask you to refrain from large group portraits—presumably because setting up tripods and the whatnot would hold everyone else up). The tour takes you past the following main buildings:

Mt. Fuji View Keep

A 3-storey keep that has withstood much of what nature has thrown at it since its reconstruction in 1659. One of the oldest remnants of the former Edo Castle.

The Imperial Household Agency Building

Head office of the Imperial Household Agency was built in 1935. It was used as the home of the family for some years after the war as reconstruction took place on the Imperial Palace.

Kyuden Totei Plaza

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the Imperial Palace itself is—whilst an impressive structure—maybe not what many are expecting. The main building that faces the plaza is called Chowaden (長和殿) a 160-meter long structure with a 100-meter balcony.

The balcony is a lot lower than the television images and newspaper photographs have many believe. The guide explained that images of the imperial family greeting flag-waving visitors on the special occasions when the grounds are open to the general public are deliberately taken from a lower position to give an impression of the balcony being more raised.

Nijubashi & Fushimi-Yagura Keep

These two structures will be familiar to anyone who has visited the Imperial Palace: the ornate stone bridge and the white castle-type structure in the distance that must rank among Tokyo’s most photographed buildings. This is the highlight for many, and is also the turnaround point. The route back takes a slight detour down Yamashita-dori between the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Household Agency building, but is more or less the same as on the way.

Incidentally, the best photograph opportunity on the tour is on the way back as you walk past the small slope that leads to the main building of the palace. Stop here and you can see a beautiful view of Mount Fuji Keep surrounded by greenery with the office buildings of Otemachi in the distance.

The tour is free and, although limited, provides a good glimpse inside the Imperial Palace. The explanations definitely put the tour into a better context so be sure to download an audio guide before you depart, as the pamphlets only give the briefest of descriptions.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace Mega Guide

Just ten minutes from Tokyo Station lies Tokyo Imperial Palace: a wealth of gardens and galleries, with guided tours and castle ruins.

Pro tip: Make the most of your visit to the area by joining this walking tour . Not only will you visit the Imperial Palace, but you’ll also get to taste some sake, try your hand at knife sharpening, and learn about traditional Japanese food like dashi (soup stock) and seaweed.

Like an island of respite, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is surrounded by parks and gardens offering a getaway from the busy city streets. Surrounding the home of the Emperor, the grounds are painstakingly maintained and are one of the top destinations for visitors to the capital.

Covering 1.3 square miles, the grounds include  hanami  (cherry blossom viewing) spots, art galleries, historical ruins and beautiful gardens—plus a private section reserved for royalty, of course. Once the site of Edo Castle, the land is now among the most highly valued in Japan, and is a short walk from Tokyo Station .

If you’re planning to visit, there are organized tours of inner areas available for free, as well as special days when you can see the Emperor himself—so read on and learn all you need to know about Tokyo Imperial Palace and the treasures it holds!

Pro tip: Book a private guided tour to get the most out of your visit to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

The History of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace

The current palace grounds were the site of Edo Castle, and before that, the residence of warrior Edo Shigetsugu. The land was close to Hibiya , which was then a beach, and was a strong flatlands location, strengthened by moats. Built in 1457 by Ota Dokan, Edo Castle (also known as Chiyoda Castle) was an important location in the development of Japan. During the Siege of Edo, it was taken over by the Hojo clan, and was later abandoned during the Siege of Odawara in 1590. The castle later became the base of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa Shogunate was formed there, with the castle becoming the military capital. Read more about the history of Tokyo . If you want some more of Edo-era Tokyo then heck out these old-school corners of Tokyo or these unusual theme parks in Japan .

Following the Meiji Restoration it became the Imperial Palace, with Emperor Meiji residing there until the new palace was built. Unfortunately, like many old Japanese structures, almost nothing remains of the original castle or ancient buildings today following fires, earthquakes and war damage—but a few small areas have survived. The Tenshudai (pictured above) is the foundation of the once-tallest tower in Japan, and can be found in the East Gardens.

Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds and gardens

Although the inner grounds are off-limits for the majority of the year, visitors are still able to explore the parks and gardens free of charge and without registration. The area is divided into three main sections: the East Gardens, Kitanomaru Koen Park and the Kokyo Gaien National Garden—all surrounded by a great jogging route for those who would like more than a stroll.

The East Gardens

Opened to the public in 1968, the East Gardens are located in the innermost circles of Edo Castle: the Honmaru and Ninomaru . The former was the principal complex where the rulers spent their daily lives, the latter was where meetings would take place with visiting feudal lords. The two areas combined form one of the last Edo Gardens to be preserved in Japan, and are filled with carefully-maintained seasonal flowers and trees. The Honmaru is a large lawn area and the Ninomaru a manicured garden, creating a great space for escaping the city and relaxing in much-needed nature.

The gardens also contain some of the few remnants of Edo Castle, including the moat walls, the entrance gate and some guardhouses. On the lawn of the Honmaru area you can see the imposing foundations (tenshudai) of the former castle tower, which was once the tallest castle tower in Japan. Unfortunately, it only stood for 19 years, as it was destroyed in a fire in 1657 and never rebuilt. 

Pro tip: If you’re keen to know which flowers will be in season when you visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace gardens, check this handy (and very extensive) flower guide .

Opening hours

The East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as from Dec 28th – Jan 3rd and on some special occasions. Otherwise, they are open from 9am to 4pm, with hours extended until 4:30pm between March 1st and April 14th, and until 5pm from April 15th – August 31st. Last entry is half an hour before closing. Entry is free, but you may be given a small entry token to return when you leave, so they can keep track of guests before closing.

Access: The East Gardens are easily accessible from Otemachi Station. Look for the Otemon Gate.

Kokyo Gaien National Garden

First opened to the public in 1949, Kokyo Gaien was previously part of the palace grounds and features the Nijubashi Bridge. The bridge was originally made with wood, and then an extra level was added, causing it to be nicknamed the “double bridge.” The area was once known as Nishinomarushita and was the location of the servants’ houses.

As well as the famous Nijubashi, you can see the Sakuradamon Gate, which is a cultural asset, and a bronze statue of samurai Masashige Kusunoki .

Slightly confusingly, the title of Kokyo National Garden is usually reserved for the section of gardens in front of the palace, but is also occasionally used to refer to the entire gardens complex, including the parks, so keep that in mind if you get confused (we’ve stuck to the specific garden use here).

Access: This area is best accessed by the Sakuradamon Gate (near Sakuradamon Station). Since it is a public park, access is free and unrestricted.

• Kitanomaru Park

A real green oasis, Kitanomaru Park was once a medicinal garden and is almost entirely surrounded by a moat, giving it a real escapist feel (aside from all the other people). There are two original Edo gates at the entrances: the Shimizumon Gate, which leads you to the Chiyoda ward office, and the Tayasumon Gate, which takes you to Kudanshita Station, and was built in 1685. The park was opened to the public in 1969 to commemorate the 60th birthday of Emperor Showa and is a mix of flowers and woodland—perfect for getting some shade in summer .

You can follow the Chidorigafuchi walking path, which includes a moat-side stretch with cherry-blossom in spring, without the risk of being run down by joggers. From April to November, you can rent paddle-boats on the moat, which is especially lovely when surrounded by pink blossom, and creates a pretty picturesque scene for onlookers too. The park is also home to the Science Museum, Nippon Budokan and the National Museum of Modern Art, but more on those below!

Access: This area is best accessed from the East Gardens or Takebashi, Kudanshita or Hanzomon stations. Since it is a public park, access is free and unrestricted.

Guided tours of Tokyo Imperial Palace

If you would like to get closer to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, you can join one of the official guided tours for access to some of the inner areas. They will take you to special spots including the  Fujimi-yagura  (Mt. Fuji-view Keep) and the  Hasuikebori  (Lotus Moat), as well as offer views of treasured spots like the Seimon Testubashi Bridge and the Fujimitamon Defence Gate. You will also get pretty close to the Imperial Palace itself, and can see the more modern additions to the royal grounds.

Tokyo Imperial Palace tours are free but require registration, either in advance online or on the day. Currently, only 120 guests are accepted each day (previously 500), with 70 spaces available for on-the-day registration (previously 300), with reccommendations to arrive early if you can.

The tours take place at 10am and 1:30pm and are conducted in Japanese and English, although headsets may be available in a few other languages. The tours take around 75 minutes and visit 11 different spots—starting from the Kikyomon Gate , which is also where you register.

If you’re a sporty-type, you might also enjoy this cycling tour of Tokyo . It takes you not only to the Imperial Palace, but also Meiji Jingū Shrine , Roppongi , and even as far as Ginza .

There are also private guided tours of the Tokyo Imperial Palace available.

Alternatives

Instead of a tour, you can download the free Imperial Palace audio guide app , if you’re the type who prefers to wander around. You can also find free guided tours that take in the palace and other Tokyo sights. Renting a bicycle and cycling around the special 3km palace course that’s open on Sundays is also a fun idea.

Bonus attractions at the Imperial Palace

As well as the gardens and guided tours, the green escape is home to a number of additional attractions that are well worth a side-visit during your stroll. These three are positioned up in the northern area of the gardens in Kitanomaru Park.

National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Home to countless examples of Japanese and international modern art, this museum is a treasure trove for modern art lovers. There are excellent works in the permanent collection including photography by Walker Evans, abstract pieces by Willem de Kooning and works by Wassily Kandinsky. There is a focus on the effect of Western art on the Japanese scene and vice versa, and artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Ai Mitsu have pieces on display. The museum is also home to Japan’s National Film Center, which has a great collection, as well as regular screenings.

Hours: 10am – 5pm, 9pm on weekends | Closed Mondays | Free access on the first Sunday each month, otherwise entry is ¥ 500 for adults and ¥ 250 for students. 

Nippon Budokan

Built to host the judo tournaments of the 1964 Olympics, the Budokan is a large sports arena that still hosts martial arts events as well as other sporting events. The national championships of judo, kendo, aikido and karate are still held here annually and can be a great opportunity to see traditional sports in action. If you like Japanese sports, then be sure to check out our guide to seeing sumo while you’re in town!

It has also become a popular music venue; the first music performance was the Beatles in 1966 and since then hundreds of performers have take to the stage, including Diana Ross, Prince, AKB48 and Morning Musume. The venue is still popular and is a great place to check out events while you’re in the area! Take into consideration though that if there is an event on the day you visit, you may want to avoid Kudanshita Station.

Science Museum

This museum is mainly for the kids and their adults, as it is a family-friendly educational mainstay that has been entertaining the Tokyo youth since 1964. It is a bit of an “all-in-one” museum and includes displays on computer technology, transport, space, the future, life sciences and more.

Hours: 9:30am – 4:50pm (last entry 4pm) | Closed Wednesdays (check their website for exceptions) |  Entry is ¥ 950  for adults and ¥ 500 – ¥ 600 for children, free for those under 3.

Special dates at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace: Seeing the Emperor

They may be few, but they are not far between: the three special entry days for the Imperial Palace all take place in winter, from the 1st of December to the 23rd of February. Offering glimpses of the palace and even of the Emperor himself, these days are incredibly busy due to their rarity, so be prepared for crowds and queues!

Note: Currently, you have to pre-register for these events.

January 2nd – New Year Greeting

This is a rare chance to see the Imperial Family as the Emperor, Empress, and family appear on the balcony of the Chowaden Hall to greet well-wishers. The event is hugely popular, and crowds are immense, so be prepared. There are five appearances , with the first two including the adult family members and the remaining three including the younger members too. The times are: 10:10am, 11am, 11:50am, 1:30pm and 2:20pm. You can enter the grounds at the main gate from 9:30am until 2:10pm but it is advisable to arrive early. More information .

February 23rd – The (new) Emperor’s Birthday

To celebrate his birthday, the Emperor and his family are expected to continue tradition and make three appearances from the balcony of the Chowaden Hall. The day is also a national holiday, so it is a whole new level of busy. In the afternoon, a guestbook is opened to all visitors, and tents are set up allowing everyone to write a message to the Emperor. From 12:30pm to 3:30pm, the book is in front of the Imperial Household. The appearance times are 10:20am, 11am, 11:40am, and you can enter the grounds from 9:30am until 11:20am at the main gate. Note that the East Gardens are closed on this day, but visitors can exit through them. More information .

December 1st-9th – Visit of the General Public to Inui Street

Between 9am and 3pm on these days, you can walk straight through the palace grounds from the Sakashitamon Gate to the Inuimon Gate. This route will mean you have the Fukiage Gardens and Imperial Residence on your left, and the East Gardens to your right, with a good portion of the walk following the Hasuikebori moat. More information .

Rules and considerations

The process for seeing the Emperor and Imperial Family is relatively straightforward. Nearby stations are flooded with well-wishers being directed by police, so just follow the crowds to the main palace gate (Nijubashi), which opens at 9:30am and is only entrance open that day. Once you reach the gate, there is a brief security check before you are handed a small Japanese flag made of paper and sent off on a brief walk to Chowaden Reception Hall. The Emperor and his family appear in a glass-enclosed viewing gallery above the crowd as everyone cheers and waves their flags wildly. The Emperor gives a brief speech, and then the crowd is shuffled in the direction of well-marked exits.

Getting to the Tokyo Imperial Palace

If you’re heading straight over from Tokyo Station , it’s a simple 10-minute walk from the Marunouchi Central Exit (not Yaesu), heading out onto Gyoko-dori and heading straight down to the Wadakura-mon Gate.

If you’re wanting to register for a palace tour, you need to head to the Kikyomon gate, which is a 10-minute walk from Nijubashimae Station or Otemachi Station via the Otemon Gate, or 15 minutes from Tokyo Station.

For the northern area, you can head to Kudanshita Station for the Nippon Budokan and Science Museum or Takebashi Station for the National Museum of Modern Art.

Imperial FAQ: All Your Questions Answered

There’s a lot of information about the palace, so if you’re looking to have your simple questions simply answered, then look no further.

How old is the Tokyo Imperial Palace?

Technically the Imperial Palace buildings are all modern, but the use of the site as a castle is over 550 years old.

When was the Tokyo Imperial Palace Built?

While the current buildings are a modern creation, the site was home to the Edo Castle, built in 1457. The castle changed hands and was destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries, becoming the Imperial Palace after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

What is inside Tokyo Imperial Palace?

There are outer grounds which are open to exploration with museums and gardens, inner gardens which are only open on specific days, and the palace itself, which is never open to the public.

Who Lives in Tokyo Imperial Palace?

Emperor Naruhito lives in the Imperial Palace with his wife Empress Masako and his only child, Princess Aiko. He is the 126th monarch of Japan and took over when his father Emperor Akihito abdicated in 2019.

Can you go Inside Tokyo Imperial Palace?

While some of the grounds and gardens are open daily, the inner section is only open on certain days (see above) and the actual building is never open to the public.

Keen on Exploring Other Historical Sites? See our guide to the best castles in and around Tokyo . Also read about the Kyoto Imperial Palace .

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in January, 2018. Last updated May, 2022.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace

The current Imperial Palace (�c��, Kōkyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo , a short walk from Tokyo Station . It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family .

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867 . In 1868 , the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and imperial residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo . In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two , and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

The inner grounds of the palace are generally not open to the public. Only on January 2 ( New Year's Greeting ) and February 23 ( Emperor's Birthday ), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family , who make several public appearances on a balcony.

Furthermore, guided tours of the palace grounds are offered during the rest of the year, although no buildings are entered. The tours take about 75 minutes and are held in English and Japanese daily at 10:00 and 13:30 except on Mondays, Sundays and national holidays . Advance reservations can be made through the Imperial Household Agency (see links below ), but same-day registrations before the start of the tours are also possible at the Kikyomon Gate.

Adjacent to the inner grounds of the palace are the Imperial Palace East Gardens which are open to the public throughout the year. See the East Gardens page for more details.

Getting there and around

The Imperial Palace is a ten minute walk from Tokyo Station .

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Any advice please.

As opposed to what, is the real question. They aren't bad, but they aren't amazing either. It depends what you would be missing if you took the time to see them.

The gardens are somewhat hard to miss, being in the middle of the city. There are three potential attractions:

1. The East Garden, generally open to the public, but check hours of operation and closed days.

http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html

2. The Inner Palace. This requires an advance application. http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/

Review of the Inner Palace:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1066443-d320050-r22278450-Imperial_Palace-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

3. Outer Gardens

http://www.env.go.jp/garden/kokyogaien/english/index.html

You can see all three in half a day. The palace is incredibly popular with joggers, who like the uninterrupted 5 km circle.

Thanks for all those links Yamanote. I don't need to apply for the gardens fo I?I think I have got it right that the entrance is free to both gardens. Cheers for that.

If you go to the east garden and outer garden it's free and no reservation.

If you go, have a nice lunch at the Maru Biru or Shin Maru Biru located near by.

Across the street is Bic Camera. Incredible electronics and other goods shop. Also near by is a super-Muji.

Naka-dori is the main street through the Marunouchi business district, leads all the way to Otemachi. Lots of shops. There is a great french bakery called Viron in the Tokyo Building.

If you haven't been to Roppongi , then City View may be of interest.

Also, a bit odd, is the war museum called Yushukan at Yasukuni shrine. Shows an alternative view of the war, interesting exhibits

not odd at all. Kamikaze pilots' "farewell" poem/writings are all so moving (if you can read the classy pre-1945 Japanese). Yasukuni's Mitama Matsuri in July is probably the most beautiful, stunning festival I've ever been to.

http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/schedule/mitama.html

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Free tour of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in English

Since March 2018, the Imperial Household Agency organises free tours of the inner palace grounds in English. Previously this was only available in Japanese or you needed to download an app if you wanted to hear explanation in English. The tour takes you close to several buildings of the palace and former Edo Castle, while providing explanation on the history and background.

The main merit to join this tour is that you can have a closer look at Fujimi-Yagura and Fushimi-Yagura , while also walking over the iron bridge, the main entrance of the palace that gives you a great view over nearby Marunouchi district. Check out my full feature article on visiting the Imperial Palace and former Edo Castle .

Fujimi-Yagura and Fushimi-Yagura are truly the highlights of a visit to the Imperial Palace. Without the tour you can only see them from far away or from an uninteresting angle (you can get very close to Fujimi-Yagura through the East Garden, but without a view of the wall on which it is built it is less impressive).

How to book the tour

Booking the tour is very straightforward. Select a day that is available and fill out the form. The person that books the tour can act as group representative, so one person can book for a whole group of people. Website to book the free tour: http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html

What to expect during the tour

Arrive more than 10 minutes before the tour starts! I arrived 15 minutes before the designated time and I was surprised by the number of people that were already waiting. At Kikyomon Gate, a guard checked my reservation number and gave me a badge. Then, they asked me to stand in a row and wait for a bit. After a couple of minutes, we were lead as a group through the Kikyomon Gate to a baggage checkpoint. After this checkpoint we were asked to have a seat in a big room inside of a small pavilion. In this pavilion were a small souvenir shop, vending machines and toilettes.

A whopping 290 people joined the tour at the same time slot as I did. After some instructions were given in Japanese and English (such as a warning that you cannot shorten the tour), the Japanese language tour departed, followed by the English language tour.

The explanation of the tour-guide was quite clear. Even though a loudspeaker was used, it was best to not go too far from the guide. They left us pretty free to wander a little bit from the group to take photos, but if someone got too far away they intervened.

The two watchtowers and the iron bridge were the highlights of the tour for me. The main palace building and the other buildings next to it were not very impressive. I personally like the older buildings much more, so that is likely my own bias.

Keep in mind that the tour does not take you to all the important buildings and places of former Edo Castle , for this you will need to visit the East Gardens as well.

In practice

Address: 1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Closest station: (distance towards Kikyomon Gate) Otemachi Station – 6 minutes walk from exit D2 (Mita Line, Marunouchi Line, Hanzomon Line, Tozai Line, Chiyoda line) Nijubashi Station – 6 minutes walk from exit 6 (Chiyoda line) Sakuradamon Station – 7 minutes walk from exit 3 (Yurakucho line) Tokyo Station – 11 minutes walk from Marunouchi exit (many lines)

Opening hours: only with reservation

Tour is organised everyday except Sunday and Monday. Closed on holidays or at special occasions (quite a lot of days). Tours are at 10:00 and 13:00, in summer only at 10:00.

Fee: free (please note the guide does not accept a tip at the end of the tour)

Web: general: http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html tour: http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html fujimi-tamon: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/tamon.html

Names in Japanese: 皇居 Kōkyo (Imperial Palace) 江戸城 Edo-jō (Edo Castle)

On the map above, my suggested itinerary is in purple, the itinerary of the official free tour is in yellow. I recommend to do both the purple and yellow route.

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Detailed instructions on how to visit Tōkyō Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tōkyō, Japan.

However, due to limited information about visiting the Royal Palace, it may be difficult for those who come to visit for the first time.

“When is the time to visit the Tōkyō Imperial Palace?” “What’s inside the Imperial Palace?” “Is it possible to see the Emperor just by visiting the Imperial Palace?”

And there are certainly many more questions.

In this article, I will detail how to visit the Tōkyō Imperial Palace so that even your first visit can easily navigate and choose the right schedule.

If you are planning to visit the Tōkyō Imperial Palace, make sure to take note of this information.

Can see The Emperor on 2 special visits at the Tokyo Imperial Palace

Introduction to tōkyō imperial palace.

Tōkyō Imperial Palace in Japanese called Kōkyo (皇居), was the residence of successive Emperors from Emperor Meiji to the present Emperor.

The Imperial Palace is located in the heart of Tōkyō, just a 15-minute walk from Tōkyō Station. Surrounded by moats and vast gardens, the Tōkyō Imperial Palace has a dignified and tranquil atmosphere almost isolated from the bustling outside world.

Tōkyō Imperial Palace was originally Edo Castle – the former castle of the Tokugawa Shogunate government*. Therefore, visiting the inside of the Imperial Palace, you will be able to see some architectural remnants such as the foundation of Edo Castle, the gate, the watchtower…

(*) Note: The Tokugawa Shogunate was a powerful Samurai government that controlled the politics and economy of Japan from 1603 to 1867. In 1867, Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu officially handed power to the Emperor, ending the Edo era and ushering in the Meiji era.

Outline map of Tōkyō Imperial Palace

Tōkyō Imperial Palace has 4 main areas:

• The grounds inside the Imperial Palace
• National Park outside the Tōkyō Imperial Palace: Kōkyo Gaien
• Tōkyō Imperial Palace East Garden: Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen
• Tōkyō Imperial Palace North Park: Kitanomaru Kōen

Currently, all four areas above are open to visitors. In particular, if you are lucky enough to visit the Imperial Palace on January 2 and February 23, you can also see the Emperor and his family waving from afar.

In the next content, I will introduce in detail how to visit each area of ​​the Tōkyō Imperial Palace. Make sure to refer to it to make your visit more convenient and enjoyable.

Tour the inside of the Tōkyō Imperial Palace

Admission conditions:

• Pre-registration is mandatory (see registration method below)
• Need to show proof such as driver’s license, My Number card, passport, residence card or insurance card… (original)

Ticket price: free

Visiting time: There are 2 tours per day, morning at 10:00, afternoon at 13:30. Each tour lasts about 75 minutes.

• Public Holidays (if it falls on a Saturday, it will still be open)
• Afternoon from July 21 to August 31
• December 28 ~ January 4 next year
• Days with events or maintenance problems

How to register: There are 3 ways to register, which is online registration, pre-registration by phone or directly to the Imperial Palace gate to get tickets on the day you want to visit.

1. Online registration: The registration portal will open from 5:00 am on the 1st of the month before the date you want to visit. For example, if you want to visit in June 2023, you can apply from May 1, 2023. Registration link: https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/register/month/1001?locale=ja

2. Pre-registration by phone: Sometimes even though online registration is full, there is still room for phone registration, so you can test call to confirm in person. Phone number: 03-5223-8071 (Available time: 8:45 ~ 12:00 or 13:00 ~ 17:00)

3. Go directly to the Imperial Palace gate to get admission tickets: Admission tickets are issued in front of Kikyō-mon Gate (桔梗門) at 9am (tickets for the tour start at 10am) and 12:30pm (tickets for the tour start at 13:30). Tickets are distributed in order of queue at that time and only 1 ticket per person is allowed.

Number of registrations:

• Register online or by phone: 200 people
• Come get tickets directly: 300 people

The journey takes about 75 minutes with the sightseeing route about 2.2km. A guide (Japanese, English, Chinese) will accompany you throughout the journey.

Meet up at the Kikyō-mon Gate Sōmeikan (rest area) Watchtower Fujimi Yagura Imperial Household Agency East Garden Nijūbashi Bridge Back to East Garden Yamashita-dōri Street Imperial Household Agency End of tour at the Kikyō-mon Gate

How to get to Kikyō-mon Gate:

• 10 minutes walk from Exit No.6 of Nijubashimae Station or Exit D2 of Otemachi Station
• 15 minutes walk from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Central Exit

Visit Kōkyo Gaien – the National park outside the Tōkyō Imperial Palace

Japanese name: 皇居外苑 (Kōkyo Gaien)

Opening hours: 24/24 However, there may be restrictions on access when there are national events.

Some outstanding attractions:

• Nijūbashi Bridge (二重橋): the iron bridge located at the main gate of the Imperial Palace.
• Sakuradamon Gate (桜田門): the gate has been recognized as an Important Cultural Property of the nation.
• Bronze Statue of Kusunoki Masashige (楠木正成像): a 6.7 ton statue, 8 meters high (including the pedestal) donated by Sumitomo Corporation.
• Black pine forest (クロマツ): about 2,000 black pine trees are scattered on the large lawn, creating an airy and majestic scene.
• Wadakura Fountain Park (和田倉噴水公園): was built in 1961 to celebrate the marriage of the then Emperor and redeveloped in 1995 to celebrate the marriage of the Crown Prince.
• 2 minutes walk from Exit No.2 or Exit B6 of Nijubashimae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
• 8 minutes walk from Exit No.3 of Sakuradamon Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
• 2 minutes walk from Exit No.2 or Exit B6 of Hibiya Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
• 10 minutes walk from JR Tokyo or JR Yurakucho

Visit Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen – East Garden of Tōkyō Imperial Palace

Japanese name: 皇居東御苑 (Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen)

Admission conditions: receive the entrance card when entering and return it when leaving the garden.

Opening hours:

• March 1 ~ April 14: open from 9am to 5pm (last entry is until 4:30pm)
• April 15 ~ end of August: open from 9am to 6pm (last entry is until 5:30pm)
• September 1 ~ end of September: open from 9am to 5pm (last entry is until 4:30pm)
• October 1 ~ end of October: open from 9am to 4:30pm (last entry is until 4pm)
• January 1 ~ end of February: open from 9am to 4pm (last entry is until 3:30pm)
• Monday and Friday However, if Monday or Friday coincides with a national holiday (except for the Emperor’s birthday), it is still open. If Monday is open, it will be closed on Tuesday.
• From December 28 to January 3 next year
• Dates with events or other force majeure reasons
• Ōte-mon Gate (大手門): the main gate of the old Edo Castle, destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt in 1967.
• Fujimi Yagura Watchtower (富士見櫓): 16m high tower, is the only 3-storey tower remaining in the Imperial Palace.
• Tenjudai ruins (天守台): the foundation of the old Edo Castle, 46m wide to the North and South, 42m to the East and West, 10m high.
• Kitahanebashi-mon Gate (北桔橋門): the gate that guarded the old castle. At that time, the bridge in front of the gate was designed so that it could be pulled up so that the enemy could not penetrate.
• Tōkagakudō Music Hall (桃華楽堂): built in 1966 to celebrate Empress Kōjun’s 60th birthday.
• Hirakawa-mon Gate (平川門): is the entrance of the women who worked in the old palace.

There are three gates to the Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen garden, namely the Ōte-mon Gate (大手門), the Hirakawa-mon Gate (平川門) and the Kitahanebashi-mon Gate (北桔橋門).

• 5 minutes walk from Exit C13a of Ōtemachi Station
• 10 minutes walk from Exit No.6 of Nijubashimae Station
• 15 minutes walk from Marunouchi North Exit of JR Tokyo Station
• 5 minutes walk from Exit 1a of Takebashi Station

Visit Kitanomaru Kōen – the park at north of Tokyo Imperial Palace

Japanese name: 北の丸公園 (Kitanomaru Kōen)

• Tayasu-mon Gate (田安門): built in 1636, is the oldest of the existing architectural ruins of the former Edo Castle.
• Shimizu-mon Gate (清水門): rebuilt in 1658.
• Shōwakan National Memorial Museum (昭和館): a place to keep historical documents about the difficult life of Japanese people during and after the war (circa 1935 to 1955).
• National Museum of Modern Art (東京国立近代美術館): is the first national art museum in Japan, which houses documents and artworks from the 19th century to the present.
• National Archives of Japan (国立公文書館): a place to preserve and store historical documents transferred from national administrative agencies.
• 5 minutes walk from Kudanshita Station
• 5 minutes walk from Takebashi Station

Every year, the Tōkyō Imperial Palace organizes 2 special visits on New Year’s Day (January 2) and the Emperor’s Birthday (February 23).

If you are lucky enough to participate, you will be able to see the Emperor and his family waving from the balcony in the distance.

Of course, not everyone can participate in this special tour, but you need to register (free) and win the lottery.

How to register will be announced on the official website of the Royal Household Agency about 2~3 months before the event. If you are interested, please check the website regularly.

• Details of the New Year’s Day Tour to Tokyo Imperial Palace (January 2): https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sanga/sanga01.html
• Details of the visit to Tokyo Imperial Palace on the Emperor’s birthday (February 23): https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sanga/sanga02.html

In the midst of the bustling and bustling capital Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is like a peaceful and beautiful oasis that gives you the feeling of being lost in another world.

Visiting the inside of the Tōkyō Imperial Palace is of course great, but if you can’t register, you can also stroll through Kōkyo Gaien National Park, Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen East Garden or Kitanomaru Kōen North Park.

Besides the beautiful scenery, each area of ​​the Tōkyō Imperial Palace has historical sites that are sure to give you a deeper insight into Japanese history.

If you have the opportunity to visit Tokyo, you should definitely take the time to visit the Imperial Palace!

• Author: wasabi

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