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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 .

Orientation in Tokyo

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Imperial household agency, application for visit, hotels around tokyo.

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• A guide to the Tokyo Imperial Palace: history & how to tour

Main content starts here.

Updated: October 28, 2020

Tokyo Imperial Palace and its beautiful gardens are a world away from the hustle bustle of the city. Just a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station and the high-rise Marunouchi financial district, this calm green oasis covers an impressive 1.15 square kilometres in the central Chiyoda Ward. Built on the site of the former Edo Castle, the palace became the permanent home of the Imperial Family in 1869. While you can’t go inside, except on rare special occasions that let you glimpse the interior, the surrounding manicured lawns, topiary trees and meticulously maintained gardens are not only visually enchanting but give a good idea of what being royalty is all about.

Edo Castle turned Imperial Palace

For over 250 years, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogun during what was known as the Edo Period – Edo being the old name for Tokyo. The current Imperial Palace, known as Kokyo in Japanese, sits on the former site of Edo Castle. However, in 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and Japan’s capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, with the Imperial Residence moving with it. The palace was destroyed during the Second World War but rebuilt in a similar style afterwards.

Copyright Imperial Household Agency of Japan

Visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace

You can call by the site of the Imperial Palace any time –its perimeter is a popular jogging route and the East Gardens are open to the public year-round. However, to make the most of your visit and get a good historical overview, put on some comfortable shoes and take a walking tour.

Check the Imperial Palace’s official website for a map of the grounds.

Imperial Palace Walking Tour

Some part of the inner palace grounds can only be viewed on a tour, which is held in English and Japanese, twice daily, Tuesday thru Saturday. While same-day tickets are available, you can easily skip the queues by making an advance reservation for a ticket through contacting the Imperial Household Agency. The tour is open and distributed from 9:00 for the morning tour starting at 10:00, and 12:30 for the afternoon tour starting at 13:30. The 75-minute tour meets at Kikyomon Gate. Although it won’t take you inside the palace, you will get the chance to see historical and beautiful sites such as the Mt. Fuji-view Keep and the Lotus Moat, and, of course, you will cross over the famous Nijyu Bridge, considered a symbol of the palace and even Tokyo itself.

East gardens

Open daily except Mondays, Fridays and designated holidays, these beautiful Japanese gardens are free to the public and especially popular for their dazzling cherry blossoms during the spring and their vibrant autumn foliage later in the year. Take a stroll for a glimpse into the area’s history as the former site of Edo Castle-you can view and climb the foundation of a castle tower that burned down over 350 years ago. Also stop by the Museum of the Imperial Collections.

"Ippan Sanga"－ Seeing the Imperial Family

Since the Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Imperial Family, it is fairly understandable that they can’t welcome visitors all year round. But there are two days a year when you catch a glimpse of them up close. As part of a New Year celebration , on January 2nd, the grounds of the Imperial Palace are open to the general public. Large crowds gather in the square in front of the Chowaden Reception Hall where the Imperial Family make five scheduled public appearances from morning to early afternoon. Due to the large crowds, leave your bags behind and wear comfortable shoes. It may take more than two hours to get to the Main Gate from the Front Plaza of the Imperial Palace due to a large turnout so make sure to arrive well in advance.

The other opportunity to get up close to the Imperial Palace is on the date of the current Emperor’s birthday-February 23rd. The Imperial Family will make three appearances and you can also sign the Greeting Book.

Hotels near the Imperial Palace

Sitting truly in the heart of Tokyo and with great access to the city, there are plenty of hotels around the Imperial Palace. Imperial Hotel Tokyo is a luxurious hotel that has won 5 stars on the hotel information website "five Star Alliance". It opened in 1890 in order to accommodate an influx of distinguished international visitors.

The Forbes Travel Guide five-star Palace Hotel Tokyo is also known for its perspective on the city and a singular, moat-side setting just opposite the Imperial Palace gardens.

For more mid-range and budget accommodation, take a look in the Hanzomon area on the western edge of the palace grounds or around Kudanshita to the north.

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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 Guide

The imperial palace, areas of the imperial palace, the history of the imperial palace, when to visit tokyo imperial palace, guided tour to the imperial palace.

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

Covering 1.3 square miles (3.36 square km), the grounds include hanami (cherry blossom) spots, art galleries, ancient ruins and beautiful gardens — and a private section reserved for royalty. The land is now the most highly valued in Japan, and is just a short walk from Tokyo Station.

• The Imperial Palace is one of the must-visit places in Tokyo.
• The Imperial Palace stands on the site of the former Edo Castle that was the residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate who ruled Tokyo during the Edo era.
• The palace was destroyed during World War Two and rebuilt in the same style afterwards.
• The Nijubashi Bridge used to be a wooden bridge, constructed during the Meiji period in 1888.
• The Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan.

The Imperial Palace, residence of the Japanese Emperor, was once the site of the Edo Castle from the 17th - 19th century. Located in the heart of the city, it is a vast expanse of green and is surrounded by moats.

The inner grounds are open only for two days of the year – January 2nd and December 23rd. There are guided tours in Japanese throughout the year. As with any imperial site, though, tours must be registered in advance at the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho). You may book up to a day before your intended visit.

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. Keep reading below and find some useful information you need to keep in mind if you are planning to visit this palace.

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The area is divided into three main sections: the East Gardens, the Kitanomaru Koen Park and the Kokyogaien National Gardens — all surrounded by a great jogging route for those who would like more than a stroll.

East Gardens

The East Gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace are a beautiful green space in the midst of the bustling city. The public can enter the gardens through any of the three historic gates: the Otemon, the Hirakawamon or the Kitahanebashimon.

The East Gardens were laid out during the Meiji era when the Emperor seized control of the city from the Tokagawa Shogunate. They were opened to the public in 1968, and cover an area of nearly 52 acres, featuring a traditional Japanese garden, a tea ceremony room, a guard house, a concert hall and a small forest.

During spring, the garden is adorned with blooming sakura or cherry blossom trees. The garden has nearly 30 species of cherry trees. Other notable plants are bamboo, peonies, a grove of plum trees and willow trees.

The garden has over one thousand species of native Japanese plants. There is also a large green lawn, called the Oshibahu, which was once used for imperial ceremonies. Structures within the garden include two guardhouses that once guarded the gates and the remains of a stone tower, called the Tenshu Dai. It is open to the public daily, except on Mondays and Fridays, and a map of the garden is available at the guardhouse near the Otemon Gate.

Kitanomaru Koen Park

This is another park of the palace, surrounded by moats. Located at the north of the palace, this place used to be a military base before it was converted to a park. You can find sakura trees too, and the plus point of Kitanomaru Park is that it has many spots for picnics. This park is also quite well known for its autumn leaves!

The park was opened to the public in 1969, to commemorate the 60th birthday of the Emperor Showa.

Kokyogaien National Gardens

The Kokyogaien National Gardens comprise the areas around the Imperial Palace that are permanently open to the public: the south-eastern Garden Plaza, the northern Kitanomaru Garden, a bridge, a fountain park and twelve moats throughout the grounds.

The Garden Plaza of Kokyogaien National Gardens occupies the moat-surrounded "island" at the south-east corner of the Imperial Palace grounds, closest to Hibiya Park and the Marunouchi District. The Garden Plaza is dotted by approximately 2,000 carefully tended black pines, and also has the imposing Sakurada-mon Gate that, although reconstructed, dates from 1620.

The Nijubashi Bridge is the most famous bridge of the many that span the moats of the Imperial Palace. This graceful, stone-arched bridge is named after the double-storied wooden bridge that it replaces.

Wadakura Fountain Park, just north of the Garden Plaza, is particularly beautiful at night when its dancing jets of water are lit up. Wadakura Fountain Park was created to celebrate the 1961 wedding of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The twelve moats of the Imperial Palace occupy 37 hectares of the total 115 hectares of Kokyogaien National Gardens and form the only part of the gardens that is not accessible to the general public.

The moats are there to be enjoyed from the edges for their scenic beauty and the wildlife, including swans. The Chidori-ga-fuchi Moat, on the western edge of Kitanomaru Park, is one of the most well-known moats for the beautiful cherry blossom that adorns its banks for a couple of weeks every spring.

The Imperial Palace of Tokyo was built on the site of the former Edo Castle, which dates back to the fifteenth century and was used as the residence of the ruling Tokugawa Shogun during the end of the Kamakura Shogunate.

The Imperial Palace history started when the original Edo Castle was destroyed by fire in 1873. During the Meiji Restoration, the inhabitants and Shogun Tokugawa Yashinobu were required to leave Edo Castle. Later, the Japanese Emperor left Kyoto Imperial Palace and came to the new Edo Castle. At that very time this castle was renamed as Tokei (the alternative name of old Tokyo) Castle or Tokyo Imperial Palace.

The present Imperial Palace was reconstructed in 1968, after it had been damaged by fire during World War II. The palace was built with steel-framed concrete, designed in a modern way but still prepped with classic architectural accents that are unique to Japan, like the large hipped roofs and beams.

The palace grounds are off limits for tourists on Saturdays and Sundays and on national holidays. Visiting on Friday might also be a bad idea, since the East Gardens are closed then.

A very auspicious day to visit the Imperial Palace would be January the 2nd. The whole Imperial Family makes a public appearance on this auspicious date directly after New Year, on the porch of the Chowaden Reception Hall. This is the only day in the year when the Imperial Palace is open to the public. Expect the palace to be very crowded, though, and expect to wait a long time in the cold.

You could also visit the Imperial Palace on the Emperor's birthday on December 23rd. The inner grounds will be open to the public on that day as well and there will be a little ritual performed for the crowds in the morning and the early afternoon.

Pick the day that suits your travel plans best.

If you like to get a little closer to the Imperial Palace, you can attend one of the guided tours for special access to the inner areas.

This tour will take you to special places, including the Fujimi-yagura (Mt. Fuji-View Keep), the Hasuikebori (Lotus Moat) as well as offering 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.

These tours are free but require registration, either in advance online or on the day. The entry numbers were increased in 2016, so now 500 guests are accepted each day, with 300 spaces available for on-the-day registration.

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

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Although the Imperial Palace offers a free guided tour to get you closer to the palace itself, please bear in mind that you need to register in order to join. Asia Highlights will help you to explore the Imperial Palace like no other! Skip the hassle and enjoy your day with our professional English-speaking tour guide. Please contact us if you have any questions!

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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!

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• Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour

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This tour will take you around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, a deeply historical site once home to Edo Castle, and where the Emperor and Empress of Japan reside today. It then moves onto nearby Nihonbashi, a bustling commercial district with stores that have been in business for over 400 years.

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Why We Recommend This

• Explore the grounds of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, including the beautiful East Gardens and ruins of Edo Castle, with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
• Learn about the Imperial Palace’s highlights, such as the Nijubashi Bridge, and the many seasonal plants and flowers that adorn its gardens.
• Follow it up with a tour of Nihonbashi, one of Tokyo’s biggest and oldest commercial districts.
• Visit a variety of long-established stores, and taste their specialties like dashi soup stock, sake, and seaweed. You can also try knife sharpening and craft your own sheet of Japanese “washi” paper.
• Gain a deeper knowledge of the old Tokyo that still lies beneath its modern facade.

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1-9, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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Tokyo Imperial Palace: Everything You Need to Know

The Tokyo Imperial Palace, an iconic symbol of Japanese history and culture , stands as a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape of Japan's capital. Home to the Emperor of Japan, this vast complex is not only a place of residence but also an important site for state occasions and royal ceremonies. With its stunning gardens, ancient ruins, and sumptuous architectural designs, the Palace offers visitors a glimpse into the country's rich and fascinating past.

Although the present-day palace was built in 1968, the history of the site dates back to the 15th century when it was the location of Edo Castle, the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate . Today, the Tokyo Imperial Palace encompasses a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, close to Tokyo Station. It is a remarkable fusion of traditional Japanese architecture and contemporary design , embodying the spirit of harmony that is so integral to Japanese culture.

Discover the vibrant city of Tokyo in all its glory with our private tour. Marvel at the breathtaking view of the city from the Tocho observatory, explore the tranquil Meiji Shrine, indulge in luxury shopping at Omotesando, explore the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Akihabara.

The Rich History of Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Tokyo Imperial Palace, the official residence of Japan's Imperial family since 1868, stands on historic grounds that once housed the Edo Castle, built in 1457. The castle, which was the largest fortress in the world during its prime, changed hands numerous times and underwent several transformations before being converted into the Imperial Palace.

In 1888, a new palace was constructed, only to be destroyed during World War Two and later rebuilt in the same style. The modern residence, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Shōzō Uchii, was completed in 1993. Despite the changes over centuries, the Imperial Palace remains a symbol of Japan's imperial lineage and cultural heritage.

The Stunning Architecture of Tokyo Imperial Palace

The architecture of the Tokyo Imperial Palace is a captivating blend of traditional Japanese style and modern design elements. The current palace, completed in 1968 and coming into use in 1969, features a large roof, pillars, and beams, reflecting the grandeur and elegance of Japanese architectural aesthetics.

A notable feature of the palace is Matsu-no-tou, a lightning tower built on donations from the Japanese people at the time the Imperial Palace was constructed. This tower not only serves a practical purpose but also adds a unique touch to the palace's overall architectural design. The palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, surrounded by moats and massive stone walls, further enhancing its majestic presence.

Inside the Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Tokyo Imperial Palace serves as the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and houses several key areas within its complex. Among these are the Imperial Residence, where the Emperor and Empress reside, and the main palace used for various ceremonies such as the New Year's greeting and the Ceremony of the Presentation of Credentials. The palace is surrounded by wide moats and thick stone walls, a testament to its history as the site of the Edo Castle before 1868.

Another significant area is the Kikyomon Gate, where the guided tours meet for their 75-minute exploration of the palace grounds. While these tours don't take visitors inside the palace buildings, they provide an opportunity to appreciate the architectural grandeur and historical significance of the palace.

Artifacts and Treasures of the Palace

While public access to the inner palace grounds is limited, the treasures and artifacts of the imperial family can be admired at the nearby museums. The National Museum and the Science Museum , both a short walk from the palace, and house collections that offer insights into Japan's rich cultural heritage.

Soak up the serene atmosphere, punctuated by the ageless grandeur of the palace buildings.

The Imperial Household Agency also preserves many important cultural properties, including ancient documents and works of art. These items, although not on public display at the palace, contribute to understanding the imperial family's history and role in Japanese society.

The Famous Gardens of the Palace Complex

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is renowned for its beautiful gardens, which are open to the public and offer a serene escape in the heart of the city. The East Gardens, located on the eastern part of the palace grounds, are the former site of Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense. They now feature a traditional Japanese landscape garden , a tea pavilion, and the remains of the castle tower.

The Outer Gardens, or Kokyo Gaien National Garden, is a large open space in front of the palace where visitors can enjoy the view of the Nijubashi Bridge and the main gate. Kitanomaru Park , another part of the palace grounds, is a public park that was once the location of the shogun's private residence. It now houses several attractions, including the Science Museum and the Nippon Budokan Indoor Arena .

Visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is conveniently located in central Tokyo, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city. The nearest subway stations are Otemachi Station and Takebashi Station.

From Otemachi Station, it's a short walk to the Ote-mon Gate, one of the main entrances to the palace grounds. If you're coming from Nijubashimae Station or Takebashi Station, you can enjoy a scenic walk through the Outer Gardens en route to the palace.

Tip: It's worth noting that the palace is tucked away behind moats and thick stone walls, adding an air of seclusion and tranquility despite its central location. If you're using a car, parking may be limited in the area, so using public transportation is recommended.

Best Time to Visit Imperial Palace

The best time to visit Tokyo Imperial Palace is arguably in January, when the general public is allowed entry to the inner grounds on January 2 for the New Year's greeting and on December 23 for the Emperor's Birthday. During these times, visitors can see the Imperial Family, who make several appearances on the balcony of the Chowaden Hall.

The palace grounds and East Garden are open throughout the year, and each season offers unique views. The cherry blossoms in spring and the colorful leaves in autumn make these periods particularly popular among visitors.

Visitor Information – Tickets, Opening Hours, Tours

Entrance to the East Garden is free, and it's open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday. The garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays, except for national holidays. Guided tours of the palace grounds are available in English and Japanese and take about 75 minutes. These tours are held daily at 10:00 and 13:30, except on Sundays and Mondays.

Include the Tokyo Imperial Palace on your custom walking itinerary.

While the tours won't take you inside the palace buildings, they offer a chance to see the beautiful gardens, castle ruins, and historical landmarks like the Double Bridge. The tours meet at the Kikyomon Gate, and visitors are required to go through a security check before starting the tour.

Popular Events at the Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is not just a historic site but also a vibrant cultural hub that hosts numerous popular events throughout the year. One of these is the Sanja Matsuri , a traditional Shinto festival that attracts millions of visitors each year. Another notable event is the Asakusa Samba Carnival, one of Tokyo's most lively and popular summer events, where you can experience a blend of Japanese and Brazilian cultures.

Moreover, the palace grounds are home to a wealth of gardens and galleries that often serve as venues for various cultural exhibitions and public events. For instance, the East Garden, open to the general public, often hosts art exhibitions featuring works from different periods, including the Edo period and modern art.

The Emperor's New Year Greeting and Birthday Celebrations

The Emperor's New Year Greeting is one of the most significant events at the Imperial Palace. On January 2nd, the palace's inner grounds were opened to the general public. The Emperor, along with the rest of the Imperial Family, makes several appearances on the balcony of the Chowaden Hall to wish the people a happy new year.

Similarly, on the Emperor's birthday, December 23rd, the palace grounds are once again opened to the public for celebrations. These events are usually crowded with fans of the Imperial Family. Visitors get an opportunity to see the Emperor and listen to his brief birthday message. It's a unique experience that offers a glimpse into Japan's imperial traditions.

Signing Off from the Imperial Palace

As our exploration of Tokyo's Imperial Palace comes to an end, it's clear that this place is more than just a historical monument or tourist attraction. It's a living, breathing symbol of Japan's rich cultural heritage, encapsulating centuries of history, and the legacy of emperors past.

The Palace isn't just about the stunning architecture or the beautifully manicured gardens, it's about the stories that echo through its halls, the traditions that have been preserved, and the sense of tranquility that pervades every nook and corner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tokyo imperial palace free.

Yes, visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace is free. However, tours require registration, either in advance online or on the day. The East Garden of the palace is also free to enter.

Is the Imperial Palace in Tokyo worth seeing?

Absolutely. The Tokyo Imperial Palace is a symbol of Japan's imperial lineage and rich cultural heritage. It offers a unique blend of history and scenic beauty, with its Japanese-style gardens that can be enjoyed all year round.

Can you go inside the Tokyo Imperial Palace?

Visitors can see the inner palace grounds by registering in advance for a free tour. However, the palace's inner grounds are not generally open to the public.

Why is the Tokyo Imperial Palace famous?

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is famous as it has been the official residence of Japan's Imperial family since 1868. It stands on historic grounds that once housed the Edo Castle, the largest fortress in the world during its prime. Despite several transformations over the centuries, it remains a symbol of Japan's imperial lineage and cultural heritage.

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Imperial Palace Plaza

Tokyo imperial palace plaza | emperor's residence.

The Imperial Palace Plaza is the residence for the Imperial Family, located in the center of Tokyo surrounded by trees, flowers, moats, and the natural scenery of Japan. Built on the grounds of Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace is only open twice a year during the New Year's Celebration and the Emperor's birthday. Guests looking to the see the inside of the Imperial Palace grounds are advised to book a tour, though even with the tour you won't see the inside of the Palace walls. There's still plenty to enjoy on the palace grounds, including the Lotus Moat and Nijuubashi (two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds).

Gorgeous Japanese Flowers & Cherry Blossoms

The inner grounds of the palace are not open to the public but visitors can witness the beautiful scenery of the palace and its surroundings. A large lawn with pine groves stretches from the road to the middle of the plaza. On the north side of the plaza stands a fountain commemorating the marriage of the Emperor and Empress. A bronze statue of Kusunoki Masashige, 14th century samurai loyal to the emperor, stands on the south size of the plaza. Although access to the Imperial Palace's inner grounds are restricted, the Kokyo Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden) and Kita No Maru Koen Park are open to the public everyday (except Mondays and Fridays). While walking through this garden, you may see some remnants of the former Edo Castle, including the a castle tower's foundation. The gardens also feature a wide range of plants ranging from cherry blossoms to sunflowers for bright colors to enjoy year-round. The cherry blossoms are especially popular during the spring season, when the Japanese flowers begin to bloom brighly during Japan's most popular season. In addition to incredible gardens, the Imperial Palace Plaza also houses the Museum of Imperial Collections, a free museum that boasts one of the most extensive collections of traditional Japanese works. View some of Japan's finest kimono, paintings, and other rare artifacts. No matter what the reason, you can arrange a tour to see the inner grounds or enjoy the outer gardens with Japan Deluxe Tours when you plan your next Spring Japan vacation or Highlights of Japan Tour package with us for your next adventure!

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• Imperial Palace & Tokyo Station
• Imperial Palace & Around

Imperial Palace & Around 皇居エリア

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to

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Garden strolls, art treasures and tours within an imperial castle's grounds

Home to the emperor of Japan, the Imperial Palace is built upon the site of Edo Castle, home to the Shogun before 1868. Protected by wide moats and thick walls and surrounded by meticulously kept gardens, the grounds offer a peaceful green contrast to the steel and glass of downtown Tokyo's modern office buildings.

Runners, cyclists and strolling couples and families frequent the outer palace grounds. There are tours of the grounds as well, and you can get in to see the imperial art collection for free.

• Tours of the inner palace grounds—the only way to see the Emperor's home
• The seasonal flowers and castle ruins in the East Garden
• Taking advantage of the free admission to the Imperial art collection

How to Get There

The outer gardens of the Imperial Palace are extensive, and can be reached from several different gates and metro stations.

The Ote-mon gate is a popular option, since it was the main gate of Edo Castle. The gate is a five-minute walk from the Otemachi subway station, or a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station.

The Hirakawamon and Kita-hanebashimon gates are located closer to Kitanomaru Park; both are a five-minute walk from Takebashi Station on the Tozai metro line.

Tokyo's own Central Park

Japanese gardens and woodlands surrounded by skyscrapers.

A view of the Suwano teahouse

Sights beyond the palace

* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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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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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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Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Home to the Emperor, the Imperial Palace and the Gardens of the Imperial Palace are some of the most iconic sites in Japan. Nestled within beautiful parkland, the Imperial Palace feels far removed from the sights and sounds of Tokyo’s nearby thriving center. The palace is surrounded by large gardens which are divided into the Inner Palace Grounds and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

To explore the Inner Palace Grounds, visitors are required to make an application via the Household Agency, however; the East Gardens are open to the public all year round, making it the perfect place for a little relaxation amongst this thriving city.

History of the Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace grounds and gardens were once the home of Edo Castle; a majestic building that played a significant role in the establishment of Tokyo as we now know it. As the residence of the Tokugawa shogun for over 250 years, Edo Castle was at the forefront of Japanese culture and tradition. As the country was almost completely closed off from the entire world, Japan focused on creating its own customs including the famous Japanese tea ceremony which is still valued to this day.

With a 51-meter stone wall to shield it, Edo Castle was the largest castle in Japan. It was protected by two moats with the outer moat reaching 15 kilometres to the Sumida River. The samurai trained and protected the castle until the Tokugawa shogun was overthrown in 1868 by Emperor Meiji.

As this marked the end of the Edo period, the Emperor renamed the city Tokyo and launched it as the new capital of Japan. A fire in 1657 and subsequent earthquakes slowly led to the demise of Edo Castle. Since 1881, the Imperial Palace has stood in its place and visitors can still find ruins of the original castle in the gardens.

Visiting the Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The East Garden is the ideal place for leisurely walks on a sunny day. Meander through the beautifully landscaped gardens and climb the remaining foundations of Edo Castle for a broader view of the grounds. This garden is the perfect way to while away the day and take in the tranquil beauty of the plants, trees, and sculptures throughout the park.

The Museum of Imperial Collections is located within the park and has an astonishing collection of imperial artifacts and artwork. The best way to learn more about the gardens, the Imperial Family, and the history of Edo Castle is to join a free two-hour walking tour. These group tours are arranged by the JNTO information center and are a great way to meet fellow travelers. For those who wish to get a little closer to the Imperial Palace, the best time to visit is 23 December and 2 January when the Emperor and his family open their gates to the public and make an appearance on the balcony. This is a unique event and a wonderfully cultural way to see the palace in more detail.

During the Cherry blossom season (early April), the gardens become extremely busy. This is a beautiful time to see the gardens in full bloom but do prepare for large crowds. We also recommend trying to visit early in the morning to beat peak times.

Combine a guided visit to the Imperial Palace Gardens with an informative exploration of Tokyo’s other bucket-list sites on our Best of Tokyo Day Tour . Accompanied by your expert guide, you’ll tour the beautiful gardens, visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine, shop on Nakamise-dori Street, enjoy an authentic Uji Matcha experience, take a cruise on Tokyo Bay, and so much more.

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How to Get to the Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The gardens are just a 15-minute walk from Tokyo station. The closest station to the East Gardens is Otemachi Station (exit 13b) and Takebashi (exit 1a).

Opening Times

The park is open from 9:00 to 16:30 and closes at 17:00 during the summer (mid-April-August). Admission is free and the last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace - Opening Hours, How To Get There, And What To Do

By gowithguide travel specialist: fidelia a..

Things To Do

When visiting Tokyo, I bet that you would want to take a peek of the Imperial Palace. However, you might not know when is it opened and what you can do there.    Here in this article, I will discuss all the things you need to know about Tokyo Imperial Palace, including opening hours, hot to get there, and what to do when you arrive. Let's go!

About the Imperial Palace Area

The main area itself is not open for public.   This is perhaps because the Imperial family themselves still lives in the premises. This is why the main area of the Imperial Palace is closed for public, except on two specific day of the year, which is January 2nd for New Year’s Greetings event and December 23rd which is the Emperor’s Birthday.

However, there are guided tours of the palace grounds offered regularly throughout the years. This tour though does not enter any building. The tour itself spanned for about 75 minutes but would be held in Japanese. Foreign visitors could take English audio headsets.

Prior bookings are required to join the guided tours of the palace grounds. You can book the tour via their website, filled in the form which is in English, or ask someone (hint: a guide !) to book one for you. I found some tours  here which offers a walking tour around the Imperial Palace. If you still have questions or unsure feel free to send a tour request .

If you’re lucky, you could get same-day bookings if there are some spots available. Go to the Kikyomon Gate before the start of the tour of the day.

  Imperial Palace East Garden

The Imperial Palace East Garden is located in the inner area of the Palace. They were part of the former Edo Castle, which was destroyed in a fire. Although none of the building still exists to this day, the moats, entrance gates, and walls are still there. Even several guardhouses still exist.

You can visit the Imperial Palace East Garden from Otemachi Subway Station within a 10 minutes walk. If you prefer to use the JR line, you can stop at Tokyo station and take a 10 to 15 minutes walk to the Imperial Palace Area.

What to do nearby

Chidorigafuchi park.

This park is popular, especially during the Sakura season. It is basically one of the 12 moats that surround the palace. In this particular moat, the river is lined with beautiful Sakura trees. Although there is no park around the moat, visitors could still enjoy a boat ride for a fee.

This place would be extremely crowded during the hanami (flower viewing) season. There are a few spots for picnic available, but it would be full in no time. If you want to enjoy a picnic in this area, you should come earlier and tag the best spot or send someone to get it first!

Kitanomaru Park

This is another one of the moats surrounding the Palace. Located in the north of the palace, this place used to be a military base before it was converted to a park in 1969. You can find Sakura trees in this moat too, and the plus point of Kitanomaru Park is that this place has more spots for picnics. This park is also quite well known for its Autumn leaves!  

Marunouchi Area

The Marunouchi Area lies in close proximity from Tokyo station. It has long been established as a high-class area. This area is lined with skyscrapers and fancy shopping and dining areas. The Marunouchi Area is most famous during the winter season, as thousands of LED lights up the trees in Naka-dori street. This is a definite spot to stop-by for your sightseeing trip around Tokyo Imperial Palace!

Getting the right time to see the Imperial Palace might be difficult.    As I mentioned before, you need prior reservations for the guide. However, this might be difficult if you are not used to Tokyo’s public transportation. You might miss your booking since you got lost somewhere down the road.  Fear not!  I have a way to get you out of this mess: Hire a private guide !  If you hire a private guide, you would be able to get reservations easier. Moreover, your guide could also provide ideas about where to go next from the Imperial Palace!

For those of you who are looking for a private guide, then I would recommend you to get one from GoWithGuide ! Not only that they have excellent guides that would cater to your every need, but they also offer you the best customer service as possible to make sure you’re in the right hands. If you want to include other destinations within your trip, check out all the other private tour groups that are available as well as other cultural activities available in Tokyo.

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Popular Tokyo Tour Guides

I’m so excited to have a chance to show you around my favorite spots in Kanagawa prefecture. I was born in Kanagawa. I spent my whole school life, including university, here in Kanagawa. I worked as a high school English teacher here for 40 years. I love Kanagawa so much. We have many interesting tourist spots, like Hakone, Kamakura, Enoshima and Yokohama. I got my tour guide license in English in 2009. I am still an English teacher. To give an interesting and impressive lesson to young high school students, I’ve learnt and gathered many kinds of information. I also have a license to teach social studies, so I have a wide range of knowledge about Japanese culture and history. I’m sure to provide you an interesting tour.                                                                                                                                  

My name is Grant I lived more than 10 years in Japan. I graduated University and translation school in Tokyo. I am fluent in Japanese. I have a degree in Asian studies and have expert-level knowledge of Japanese culture and history. I have memorized the JR rail system across all of Japan, I use the same train timetable calculators as the station staff, and I have experience using bullet train passes that are exclusive to foreign visitors. I can optimally navigate the Tokyo underground and maximize value from a Tokyo metro pass and also understand Tokyo above ground which will allow for seamless transitions between different metro stations and landmarks with minimal backtracking. My tour fee is 20,000yen for 1-6hours (135.28USD) 30,000yen for 7-9hours (202.93USD) 40,000yen for 9-12hours (270.57USD) I have half-day tours listed at 20,000 yen (135.28USD) at the moment but you can combine them or do a custom tour for roughly up to 9 hours for 30,000 yen (202.93USD). The time transiting to and from your hotel for pick up or drop off within Tokyo 23wards does not count towards an increase in the price.                                                                                                                                  

I live in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. I have a license to teach in high schools and was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language in the University of Birmingham. Until 2015 I had been teaching English at public high schools in Kanagawa for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience of guiding students from overseas through sister-school relationship around Tokyo and Kanagawa. Therefore, I had good command of English with the TOEIC score of 935. As for a tour guide experience I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English and since then I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only Japanese historical and cultural backgrounds but also giving tourists some tips to travel Japan only by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, buy survenier, and speak basic Japanese. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, ninja performance, visiting anime's location sites based on tourists' request. Besides, by means of my hobbies of writing English Haiku and Waka (traditional Japanese poems) and performing Rakugo (traditional Japanese funny story telling) in English, I can surely entertain tourists during the tour. My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interestiog guiding.                                                                                                                                  

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Yoko, je suis guide diplômée. J’habite à Tokyo, dans le quartier appelé Yanesen, depuis plus de 10 ans. J’aime bien mon quartier, il se trouve au milieu de Tokyo, mais il garde l'atmosphère d’autrefois.Il y a plus de 100 temples et sanctuaires, les festivals de sanctuaire sont des événements importants pour les habitants, dans les rues commerçantes, il y a de vieux magasins qui animent les rues même aujourd’hui. C’est comme un village, les habitants sont ouverts, amicaux et sympas, il y a de vrais échanges entre eux. Je crois qu’il y a de vieux Tokyo, de vraie vie quotidienne de Tokyoïtes qui ne changent pas depuis longtemps à Yanesen. J’aime bien aussi voyager, découvrir la culture vivante tout en faisant la connaissance avec des personnes locales. Et c’est pour cela que quand je voyage, j’aime bien aller aux marchés, aux cafés et aux restaurants populaires entre les habitants. J’aime aussi le saké depuis 5,6 ans, mais je n'aimais pas le saké, je croyais que le vin était le meilleur, et qu’il accompagnait presque n’importe quel cuisine. Mais aujourd’hui je crois que le saké est le meilleur pour accompagner la cuisine japonaise et notamment quand on voyage dans des régions au Japon, il permet de communiquer plus facilement avec des personnes locales. Pour approfondir mes connaissances, j’ai obtenu le diplôme de saké sommelier et travaille dans une entreprise de saké. Je vous guiderai dans ce bon vieux Tokyo afin que vous puissiez découvrir une vraie vie quotidienne de Tokyoïte, tout en servant d'intermédiaire entre vous et les habitants du quartier. Et bien sur, je peux organiser également le tour sur mesure, tout en répondant à vos demandes pour votre voyage innoubliable! J’espère que l’on se voit très bientôt à Tokyo!                                                                                                                                  

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Tours & Admission

Visit ʻIolani Palace with our popular tour options: a Guided Tour with a Palace Docent and a Self-Led Audio Tour. Both options include a tour of the first and second floors of ʻIolani Palace followed by a self-guided exploration of the basement gallery exhibits. It is suggested you allow approximately 60-90 minutes for either tour.

Tour options vary based on the day of the week and the time. Tickets sales are online only. No walk-ups and same-day reservations.

Book A Tour

Members of The Friends of ʻIolani Palace : To reserve your complimentary tour ticket(s), please call Reservations at 808-522-0832 or email [email protected] .

EXPLORE OUR TOURS

Docent-Led Tour

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White Glove Tour

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School Tours

Basement Gallery Exhibits

Make a reservation by calling 808-522-0832 or click below to book your tour online.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR VISIT

As ʻIolani Palace is a sacred place, we kindly ask guests to be dressed in a manner that is respectful of its cultural and historical significance.

• Shirts and footwear are required; you will also be asked to wear shoe coverings provided by the Palace.
• Bathing suits and beachwear (including beach coverups) are inappropriate attire and not permitted.
• Clothing displaying profanity is not allowed.

Photography

We encourage Palace visitors to take selfies and share their experiences and are welcome to take photos of the ʻIolani Palace interior, exterior, and grounds for personal use. The following are not permitted:

• Flash photography
• Videotaping
• Audio recording
• Tripods/monopods or selfie sticks
• Extended lenses

Commercial photography is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from ʻIolani Palace and the Hawaiʻi State Film Office.

Children under 5-years-old are free and must be in a front-held infant/child carrier, safely strapped in a stroller provided by ʻIolani Palace, or holding the hand of an accompanying adult at all times. Personal strollers are not permitted inside the Palace; there is no charge to use a Palace stroller. If the child is being disruptive, Palace personnel will ask that the child be taken outside.

Please respect all roped off areas and obey all posted signs placed throughout the interior and exterior of ʻIolani Palace.

Personal Belongings

The following are not allowed inside ʻIolani Palace:

• Food and beverages

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted on the premises. We ask that you notify the reservations office and/or the cashiers before entering ʻIolani Palace.

Your ticket for the: Tours & Admission

Tours & admission.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito to pay state visit to UK, Buckingham Palace says

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North korea's un ambassador says new sanctions monitoring groups will fail.

Efforts led by the U.S. and other Western countries to form new groups to monitor sanctions on North Korea will fail, the country's U.N. envoy said on Sunday, according to state media KCNA.

King Charles and Queen Camilla to Host Japan State Visit in June

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's planned state visit to the UK in spring 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.

"Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom in late June 2024," Buckingham Palace today, sharing that King Charles and Queen Camilla will host the visit.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 , their first overseas trip since Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in 2019. They did not attend Charles and Camilla's coronation; instead, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended on their behalf .

King Charles has a long history with the Japanese Imperial Family ; he's visited the country five times—the most recent trip occuring in October 2019, for the enthronement ceremony . This will be the third state visit he's hosted during his reign; the first, in honor of South Africa's President Ramaphosa , took place in November 2022, and the second, in honor of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol , was in November 2023.

State visits typically include a state dinner on the first night, attended by senior members of the royal family. Per the royal family's website, the state banquet "is a very grand formal occasion held in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom. Around 150 guests are usually invited on the basis of their cultural, diplomatic or economic links to the country being hosted." (For example, South Korean girl band Blackpink attended the last state banquet. ) Typically, the royal women wear tiaras—at the last state banquet, Kate Middleton debuted the Strathmore Rose tiara and Queen Camilla wore the Burmese Ruby Tiara .

No specific date for the Japan state visit has been set yet, but we'll update this as soon as we learn more.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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