Imperial Palace

Name: Imperial Palace
Address: 100-8111 1‐1, Chiyoda, Chiyoda, JP

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About

Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, Tokyo: the emperor of Japan's main residence, on the former Edo Castle site, moated and ringed by gardens.

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Why go

The guided tour, a route of about 2.2 km that takes one hour on foot, with little shade; tours go ahead in rain.
The East Gardens, on the eastern part of the grounds, open to the public.
The Seimon-ishibashi, a stone bridge with two arches on the approach to the palace.

Don't miss

Sannomaru-ShōzōkanA museum of imperial collections in the East Garden.In the East Garden, eastern part of the grounds.
Yata no Kagami replicaA replica of the Yata no Kagami mirror, one of the three throne regalia, is kept in one hall.Inside the palace grounds.
Kōrei-denThe hall where the ancestors of the emperor and his family are venerated.Inside the palace grounds.
Nijūbashi iron bridgeAn iron bridge, the second crossing on the way in; the name first belonged to an earlier wooden double bridge.On the way in to the palace.
Chowaden hallThe emperor and family appear behind armoured glass here to greet the crowd.Inside the palace, reached through the public gate.New Year and the emperor's birthday

Tips for your visit Best time to visit

Tips for your visit

Apply online for a free guided tour in advance, or in person at the Tour Office of the Imperial Household Agency.
Tours are given only in Japanese. English audio guides are lent free to foreign visitors.
Without a booking, you can try to walk in at the Imperial Household Agency office in the northwest corner of Imperial Palace Park.
Same-day numbered tickets are handed out first come, first served at Kikyo-mon Gate, one per person. Up to 300 people per tour.
Gather at Kikyo-mon Gate on the day of your visit.
Plan for a tour route of about 2.2 km, a one-hour walk with little shade.
After the tour, a private gate lets you skip the lines at the main Ōte-mon entrance.
You can also arrange a visit by phone on 81-3-5223-8071.

Best time to visit

Spring, for the cherry blossoms on the Inui-dori, a 750-metre avenue across the palace that opens twice a year.
Autumn, for the red leaves on the Inui-dori.
2 January and 23 February, when the inner palace grounds are open to the public and the imperial family appears in public.

Interesting facts3

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During the bubble economy, the land was estimated at a little more than the value of California.
Tokyo/Chiyoda - Wikivoyage (see)
Reportedly, the grounds rank as the priciest square kilometre anywhere.
Tokyo Imperial Palace - Wikipedia
Three palace sanctuaries keep parts of the Imperial Regalia of Japan.
Tokyo Imperial Palace - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The palace stands on the site of Edo Castle, the fortress of the Tokugawa shoguns, which the shogunate also maintained and used.

1868The court moved from Kyoto; the former Edo castle became the emperor's official residence.
1869Emperor Meiji made the former shogun's residence his permanent seat.
1873A fire destroyed the residence.
1888A new palace in a mixed style was completed.
1945Allied firebombing destroyed most of the structures.

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August 1945Japan's surrender was made in an underground air-raid shelter on the grounds.
1968The new main palace hall, designed by Junzō Yoshimura, was finished.
2021Naruhito, Masako and Aiko moved into the residence after a refurbishment.

How to get there

10 minOn footFrom Nijubashi-mae Station, Chiyoda Line Exit 6, to Kikyo-mon Gate, where visitors gather.
10 minOn footFrom Otemachi Station, Mita Line Exit D2, to Kikyo-mon Gate.
15 minOn footFrom Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Central Exit, to Kikyo-mon Gate.

Sources: Tokyo Imperial Palace - Wikipedia · Tokyo/Chiyoda - Wikivoyage (see) · Facilities and Visit Guidelines - Imperial Hous… · Kaiserpalast Tokio - Wikipedia · Palais impérial de Tokyo - Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026

Where

100-8111 1‐1, Chiyoda

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Is a visit to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo free?

The guided tour of the Imperial Palace is free for foreign visitors, and English audio guides are lent free too. Apply online in advance to join the tour.

How long does a guided tour of the Imperial Palace take?

The tour route is about 2.2 km, a one-hour walk with little shade. Tours go ahead in rain but may be cancelled in severe weather.

How do I get to the Imperial Palace from Tokyo Station?

From Tokyo Station's Marunouchi Central Exit it is about 15 minutes on foot to Kikyo-mon Gate, where visitors gather. From Nijubashi-mae Station, Chiyoda Line Exit 6, it is about 10 minutes.

Can children visit the Imperial Palace?

Yes, but visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bicycles and cars are not allowed inside the palace grounds.

Do I need to book a tour of the Imperial Palace?

Booking in advance is possible online or in person at the Tour Office of the Imperial Household Agency. Same-day numbered tickets, one per person, are handed out first come, first served at Kikyo-mon Gate.

When is the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace open to the public?

The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed except on January 2 and February 23. On those days the imperial family appears in public.

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