Imperial Palace

Imperial Palace

Imperial Palace
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasArchitectural BuildingsGovernment Buildings
About
The current palace was constructed in the same spot where Edo Castle used to stand. Most of the palace grounds are not open to the public except for the East Gardens, which are accessible on select days.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ginza / Tokyo Nihonbashi
Ginza is famous for being a trendy hotspot, but it's also a downtown area with shops that were founded over a hundred years ago. Department stores and luxury boutiques line the route from Nihonbashi to Ginza. It's a long established tradition to shop and stroll while the road is closed to traffic. Luxury hotels, world class cuisine from talented chefs, and a collection of glitzy clubs will make this area popular with anyone looking for a night out.
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See what travellers are saying
  • Pang L
    Henderson, Nevada5 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    The somewhat boring Imperial Palace
    This place is a little over rated. The tour schedule changed to 1 pm from 3:30. Luckily we got there at 12. The whole place was renovated which did not show much charisma. There was not much to see except to follow the guide and walk around. Maybe March is the wrong time to visit. The eastern garden could be more attractive if more flowers are blooming. I suppose during the celebration time, this place could be more symbolic or meaningful to visitors.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 March 2024
  • David H
    Canberra, Australia26 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Imperial Palace - tranquility in the middle of the city
    We visited Japan in early spring hoping to see the cherry blossoms bloom. Unfortunately cold weather in Feb/early March meant that only a few trees were in flower. The Imperial Palace gardens would be amazing with blooming cherry trees. The gardens unfortunately were a bit drab - hues of browns and greens but the history of the Palace area was interesting. Definitely worth going. The visit is free and could be done in less than an hour. Closed Mondays and Fridays - a trap we were caught by!
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 March 2024
  • John and Deb K
    Karratha, Australia820 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beutiful Gardens
    Beautiful grounds, well worth a wander around. Although if you want to get up close to the palace you need to pre-book or line up early as there are only 2 tours a day. Also important that if you book any tour in Japan make sure that you have whats app on your mobile as that's how all the tour guides and companies, even the hotels contact you.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 March 2024
  • Daphne M
    Cardiff, United Kingdom257 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A peaceful oasis in the city
    Our first day in Tokyo feeling very jet lagged we decided to take a walk to the Imperial Palace. The park was beautiful with the cherry blossom in full bloom. Couldn’t believe how peaceful it was given its location amidst the skyscrapers of the city. Had a late breakfast in the Starbucks conveniently situated on the park with beautiful views. Lovely place to unwind.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 April 2024
  • Raintree_Thailand
    Bangkok, Thailand4,465 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Obligatory foto of Fushimi Watchtower from Nijubashi Bridge viewpoint!
    Unless you arrange a special tour, you can't really enter the palace grounds, other than the East Gardens. Tourists are all taken to the viewpoint at the Nijubashi Bridge for the obligatory photo of the Fushimi Watchtower. Good to add to your Instagram collection, but you don't need to spend more than a few minutes.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 April 2024
  • Birgitta-Kenneth
    Solna, Sweden1,636 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lucky us!
    We were lucky enough to get hold of a guided tour that really only exists during cherry-blossomimg and you cant book it, just line up and the first three hundred gets in! Lovely walk among the premises but the down fall was that you was not allowed into the palace. Really glad we made it though
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 April 2024
  • oskar
    Swindon, United Kingdom106 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Palace gardens
    Research before going if you really want to enter the palace grounds. You can’t enter the palace without a guide and even then you probably don’t see a lot. However the east gardens was a nice walk. You get to see some history and what a palace would be like.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 25 April 2024
  • YXG.TRAVEL
    581 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The stars are for the beauty
    The stars are for the beauty. The layout and the Gardens of the Palace are beautiful without a doubt. However there's nothing to do in there at all and it can be quite boring if you're with alot of people. If you're a couple this is definitely worth doing. It's more of a romantic setting not a 6 guys on holiday setting!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 April 2024
  • ccsfamily
    Geneva, Illinois353 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice area to walk by on your way to see something else.
    The palace and gardens were a short walk from our hotel so we walked over one morning. You can only see the palace from a distance and can only see a portion of the gardens and grounds. It is lovely to take a few photos as the bridge is beautiful and the part of the grounds you can access as nice to walk through. We enjoyed Hibiya park across the street more.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 April 2024
  • msa23_2000
    Chino Hills, California1,522 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice place, but not a must-see in Tokyo
    There are expansive gardens and we walked a bit. While I did enjoy it, it was my least favorite area of Tokyo I visited - I suppose I was wanting more. As Tokyo is just a huge city, I do enjoy walking into gardens, but these were just ok compared to others (like the botanical gardens in Shinjuku). I guess for an Imperial Palace, I had higher expectations. It’s not bad by any means, but if you have limited time in Tokyo, this wouldn’t be my priority.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 12 May 2024
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4.0
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FunDaddy
Delray Beach, FL45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the residence of the Emperor of Japan, stands as a testament to the country's rich history, seamlessly blending traditional architecture with the modern landscape of the city.

Historical and Architectural Splendor:
The palace grounds are built on the site of the former Edo Castle, offering a deep dive into Japan's feudal past. The remaining structures, like the imposing stone walls and moats, give visitors a sense of the castle's original defensive might. The architecture of the palace buildings, though mostly not accessible to the public, can be admired from the outside, showcasing traditional Japanese design with some modern influences due to reconstructions post-World War II.

Gardens and Open Spaces:
The East Gardens: Open to the public, these gardens are a highlight, featuring remnants of the old Edo Castle, like the base of the main tower, alongside beautifully maintained Japanese gardens. It's a serene place to stroll, with seasonal flowers, ponds, and historical artifacts.
Kokyo Gaien National Garden: This large plaza in front of the palace allows for fantastic views of Nijubashi, arguably the most photographed spot where two bridges lead into the inner palace grounds. Although you can't sit on the grass, the area provides a spacious environment to appreciate the palace's exterior.

Visitor Experience:
Limited Access: The inner palace grounds are only accessible to the public on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and February 23 (Emperor's Birthday), where you can see members of the Imperial Family. Otherwise, guided tours are available but do not enter the main palace buildings, which might leave some visitors wanting more access.
Public Tours: The tours, while free, might feel a bit restrictive or underwhelming if you're expecting to see grand interiors. They focus more on the history and less on the current use of the palace, which might not meet everyone's expectations, especially given the heat and large groups.

Cultural Experience:
Visiting the palace grounds gives you a sense of Japan's reverence for tradition and nature. The meticulously maintained gardens reflect the Japanese aesthetic of harmony with nature. However, some might find the experience slightly formal or less interactive due to the palace's ceremonial nature.

Overall:
The Imperial Palace is worth visiting for those interested in Japanese history, architecture, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat in the heart of Tokyo. While the lack of access to the inner palace might disappoint some, the outer gardens and the historical significance of the site offer a worthwhile experience.

The palace embodies a quiet dignity and historical depth, though it might not satisfy those looking for a more hands-on or interior exploration of royal life.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luv_ Rachmaninoff_No2
Irvine, CA988 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
We were visiting from the US where we made the tour reservations over a month in advance. We were staying near the Tokyo Station so it was very convenient 15 min walk to the Palace. People were divided into separate groups, depending on your native language, and our English tour guide took us around the walking tour on the outside of the palace, which took about an hour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Palace as well as her English was excellent & she shared many photos along the way as she was providing very helpful descriptions. We had plenty opportunities to take some beautiful closeup photos and we enjoyed the tour, one of the highlights of our trip. Definitely recommend this tour but make sure you wear comfortable shoes & make reservations early since it books up quickly (reservation period opens one month prior to your visit month)
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

roy v
Traralgon, Australia6,024 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
We recently did the palace tour on a very hot morning, we had booked a few weeks earlier to make sure we got in .
Really didn’t need to as when we arrived for the tour there were dozens of people lined up to get tickets and it looked like they all got on the tour.
After entering through the designated gate we were directed to a big hall where we all sat for the next 30 minutes as some of the history of the palace was explained and also what we would do and see on the tour.
This was repeated in 6 different languages so it took a bit of time, at least we were in the cool.
When we finally took off with our relevant tour guide we walked through some of the grounds , past a few buildings as our English speaking tour guide explained what we were looking at .
She did a good job doing that standing out in the repressive heat but really it was just a walk in the garden, we never entered one building or got anywhere near the Imperial residence or the Shinto Shrines, quite disappointed, good thing it is a free tour. It was all over in a hour.
Security was very tight which is good. Thankfully they allowed us back in the hall at the end of the walk to cool down for a short time before it was closed to get ready for the afternoon tour.
The tour was shortened a bit because of the heat.
Written 3 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Juliet M
Crouch End, UK45 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We did the Imperial Palace free tour. This covers the outsides of the building only and you walk around a road being shuttled to the side by a whistle blower. The tour was so huge that often it was difficult to hear the guide.
There’s a lot of hanging about waiting for them to organise the groups. I would give it a miss tbh.
Written 29 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ricochan
New York385 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We booked the 'Guided Tour of the Imperial Palace' tickets about two weeks in advance. With reservation, security check was very smooth. Make sure to purchase reasonably priced and high quality souvenirs in the hall where instructions are given, before the tour begins. When the tour is over, you will be asked to leave immediately. Similar items are sold in the outer garden, but not all that are offered in the hall.
There were more people in Japanese language tour, but our English tour group was small enough that we could all hear the guide very well.
If you have been to Kyoto, this castle may not wow you. It offers a glimpse of some Imperial buildings and ruins that are normally out of reach to commoners. I always liked the Megane Bridge from the parking area, and it was priceless to walk over it.
We also walked around the outer garden which was open to public.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jurokro
62 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
We had no tickets/reservation online and were already there 8:15am on a rainy Saturday morning. We were not the first, but 8:40am would have been enough in any case.
There was only one group per language - you can guess how big the English group was! This alone made it very difficult to understand the explanations. In addition, all groups still walk more or less simultaneously across the grounds, so you can hear the Chinese/Korean/Japanese explanations all the time in the background and actually have nowhere to stop.
You don’t actually see much, but the photo spot on the Nijubashi is really good. In the end, however, you also have to say that the tour is free. And the fact that you are not allowed to go everywhere in an actively used palace is also understandable. For us it was kind of part of it, but I would only recommend the tour if you are interested in the imperial house and have the time in Tokyo (after all, with a wait a whole morning is gone). Otherwise we liked the (old) palace in Kyoto much better, here you can see much more and can walk through alone.
Even the eastern gardens are quite beautiful, but far from the most beautiful gardens we have seen (these include koko-en in Himeji, kenroku-en in Kanazawa and surprisingly the southwestern part of Kyotogyoen). It is interesting, however, that many different cherry and bamboo species have been collected and planted here. Those who can get excited about it should definitely visit the gardens.
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Written 25 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Samson1971
Dubai, United Arab Emirates911 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Was a very hot day in Tokyo so we only spent about 45 minutes visiting the e Palace in Tokyo which is the official residence of the Emperor. The whole palace is so surreal and make you feel you are back a few centuries. The palace walls are built with huge black rocks 🪨 some of which are unreal size. You wonder what craftsmanship must have cut these block and put them in order to build a huge wall. There is a moat that surround the palace. We also had the chance to visit the small museum in the palace.
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gwyn G
Glasgow, UK16 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
This was a disappointing experience on an otherwise super trip to Japan. We queued fit an hour to make sure we got one of the 300 available spots then were treated to an hour in a large hall listening to the rules in many languages - rather a long winded and dull start. The tire itself does not enter any building and instead we are shown around a series of what are often rather uninspiring buildings. The audio guide was not clear and we felt that the experience wasn’t worth it. Frustratingly the gardens were shut when we went (they are closed on Mondays and Fridays) - these are worth the trip and you can access these without the pain of the palace tour.
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PriscillaF
Perth, Australia2,156 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
So to get a guided tour you need to book at least 4 days in advance or there’s availability for walk in (70 people max) on the day if you line up before 1230pm at kilyomon gate (tickets handed out at 12.30pm) to the first 70 people. So therefore start lining up by 11am! If your a walk in! I was too late and found if u walk from there past the water to the gate on the left, item on gate you can still walk through the gardens by yourself and there is a map at the shop on your left side inside the gates that are free. A bonus would be to pack a picnic and eat on the lawns as I saw another group do which looked lively. I got some really nice pictures and it’s a nice day out. I would have liked to have seen some gardeners in there doing some weeding though. My weeding OCD was massively triggered, such beautiful gardens that I kind of felt was becoming a little neglected. There are shops to purchase drinks, ice creams but nothing else good wise and you can buy merchandise. There are to let’s available too.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

李佑記(イウギ)
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
I highly recommend taking a walk around the area! It is spacious and green, so I feel refreshed just by walking. It's a great place to think. It's quiet in the middle of the city, and it's strange how you feel walking in nature. Especially in the morning and evening, there are many runners, which is a good stimulus. It's the perfect spot to get your head in order while walking slowly!
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Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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IMPERIAL PALACE: All You MUST Know Before You Go (2025)

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