Imperial Palace in Tokyo

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Facts & Figures

Tokyo Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located in the center of Tokyo. The residence of the Emperor's family includes large parks and many buildings. The whole complex covers an area of 3.41 square kilometers. It is by the way the most expansive piece of land in the country. The four main parts of the palace grounds are Kokyo-gaien National Garden, Kitanomaru Park, Imperial Palace East Garden, and the inner palace. The Imperial Palace is surrounded by huge stone walls, moats, fortified gates, and watch towers. The Kokyo-gaien National Garden has a size of 1.15 square kilometers and consists of museums, public green spaces, and great paths for a stroll. It is possible to book a tour of the imperial grounds. Slots are only available on the Imperial Household Agency's website. Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Tokyo Ryokan.
 Find Your Perfect Ryokan Now > The tour is happening twice a day at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm (except on Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays). Important to know that no building can be entered. During the tour, you will see just a small part of the whole property including Kyuden. Kyuden, the central building of the palace, contains the room with the throne of the Emperor and the pine chamber (Matsu-no-Ma). Part of the Imperial Palace complex is also the Palace Sericulture Centre, the Imperial Household Agency, Fukiage Palace (Fukiage gosho), the famous Nijubashi Bridge, and the Fujimi-yagura watchtower. The inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace are usually not accessible to the public. The only chances are on the 2nd of January (New Year's Greeting) and on the 23rd of February (Birthday of the Emperor). My tip: Rent a boat in the Kokyo-gaien National Garden and explore the huge outer castle wall from a unique perspective.

• Tour of the Imperial Palace grounds:
• Tour start (at Kikyomon Gate) - 10:00 am and 1:30 pm (duration time: 75min)
• Closed - Sundays, Mondays and public holidays
• Admission Fee - free
• Tickets - Imperial Household Agency's website (in advance) or at the Kikyomon Gate (same day)

• Imperial Palace East Garden (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen):
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (1st of March - 14th of April, September, last entry 4:30 pm)
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (15th of April - end of August, last entry 5:30 pm)
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (October, last entry 4:00 pm)
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (November - end of February, last entry 3:30 pm)
• Closed - on Mondays, Fridays, 28th of December - 3rd of January
• Admission Fee - free

My tips for local activities

Enjoy this Historical walking tour through the remains of the old Edo-era Imperial Palace with a local guide. The tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take 2 hours. For more details check out this page >

History

The Tokyo Imperial Palace was built in 1888 at the former Edo Castle site, which was in the past the largest fortress on the planet. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled from here Japan between 1603 and 1868 (Edo period). After the shogunate lost its power in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. This was the moment when the Tokyo Imperial Palace became the main residence of the Emperor and its family. The Tokyo Imperial Palace was destroyed during World War 2 and the reconstruction of the buildings in a traditional style was finalized in 1968.

Sightseeing spots

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Imperial Palace East Garden (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) - This public park belongs to the inner palace area and is a very popular spot during the cherry blossom season. The foundation of the Edo Castle tower, which burned down over 350 years ago, can be found here. The garden was opened to the public in 1968.

Tokagakudo Concert Hall - The building was completed in 1966 and is located within the Imperial Palace East Garden (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen).

Kokyo-gaien National Garden - The garden opened its doors to the public in 1949. You will find there the famous Nijubashi Bridge, Sakuradamon Gate, and a bronze statue of samurai and strategist Masashige Kusunoki (1294 - 1336).

Palace Sericulture Centre - In 1871 Empress Dowager Shoken (1849 - 1914) started here with raising silkworms. This tradition has been kept alive by other Empresses till these days.

Ninomaru Garden - It is a beautiful Japanese Garden from the Edo period (1603 - 1868) with 260 trees donated by each prefecture in Japan. Do not miss the Suwano teahouse.

Kitanomaru Koen (Park) - It is a public park and contains a Science Museum, the Nippon Budokan Hall, and The National Museum of Modern Art. Kitanomaru Koen was opened to the public in 1969 to honor Emperor Showa (1901 - 1989).

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

January

New Year's Greeting (2nd)
It is only 2 times a year possible to visit the inner palace grounds. Approx. 70,000 people use this chance to greet the Imperial Family. There are usually 5 appearances of the family. The entrance for this event is at the Main Gate from 9:30 am to 2:10 pm.

February

Birthday of the Emperor (23rd)
The birthday of the Emperor is a national holiday and the public has access to the inner palace grounds of the Imperial Palace. The Emperor and his family accept the greetings from a palace balcony.