Imperial Palace
4.4 (24922)
1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan
This site with scenic gardens & tours of the grounds is the main residence of the emperor of Japan.
Duration: 01h00min
+81 3-3213-1111
outdoor
free
daytime
traditional
parks
nature
Opening hours
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
Thursdays: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
Fridays: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
Sundays: Closed
review(s)
24922 review(s)
Longdy Yi a month ago
There are a couple of free tours in the palace per day, but you need to come early to get a spot. Otherwise, you can’t enter. A pity I missed my chance and only managed to walk around the area. Still very nice in any case.
Don Christie a month ago
Awesome free walking tour with an English speaking guide. The gardens are brilliant and the layout inspired by the elements of Japanese culture. Great for getting a few elevated pictures of ‘old and new’ buildings of Tokyo.
Dennis Phan 2 months ago
There are free guided tours at 8 am (?) and 1 pm most days. Definitely check out the official website to make sure that they are open for visitors. Sadly, did not have time for the tour but there are gardens where all visitors are welcome. I imagine it to be much prettier during warmer seasons.
Chelsea Getchell 3 months ago
Pretty cool to know this was once the largest fortress in the world, but I wish we did more research beforehand. I was expecting to see the interior, wondering what a Japanese "Castle" was like after seeing various European builds. Naive, I didn't realize the Imperial Family still lives here. So, it's like visiting the White House. Viewing the exterior is okay to the public but the interior is completely off limits. I. SERVICE Security is strictly enforced everywhere you go. The entry to the Imperial Garden wasn't very clear so we walked quite some ways around the moat to get to the entry. II. QUALITY The inner-walls, containing the gardens weren't anything impressive to me. No floral arrangements or hedges set in a decorative way. Mainly trees and grass, like anywhere else within the city. III. CAPACITY We came on a rainy day and there was no crowds. No line to enter the gardens.
Z 3 months ago
A beautiful park with lots of history. Take at least an hour or two to wander around the gardens. Take another couple hours and visit the palace tour. I did not get to do that. Do yourself a favor and get there at 8:50 and you will not have a long wait through security.