What other travelers are saying about Tokyo Imperial Palace
We did a walk in for the imperial palace. If u can reach early you should be able to get in by 9 am to the palace. At least in March. Nice historical place with a free of cost guided tour. The guide takes u through the outer building of the imperial palace. Nice architecture. Whole tour lasts for 1 hr. You can visit the imperial East garden if u want. Do not expect to see the imperial family as they live away from this spot in a wooded area.
A very brief tour (ca. 1 hour) around some of the outskirts of the inner court grounds can be participated in. The tour itself is great, multilingual and very informative on Japanese history and culture. The palace itself is surrounded by great architectural marvels, but is itself very modern looking in a way one would not expect.
That being said, the wait for entry can exceed way over an hour and you must at least arrive 1 hour in advance before entry, if you didn't order tickets prior.
This historically significant site offers an introduction to the construction techniques behind its towering structure, which stands over 60 meters high—a testament to Japan’s architectural brilliance and craftsmanship. The vast area requires ample time to explore, with a full tour taking around one to two hours. While some parts have changed over time due to modernization, the site remains a must-visit destination. Beautifully arranged gardens and ponds seamlessly blend with the grandeur of the surroundings, creating a serene and visually stunning experience.
Beautiful, clean, peaceful, sparsely crowded given it's vastness, relaxing. Brilliant place to go for a walk and spend a few hours - totally loved it and highly recommend. Entry shuts at 4.30/5.30pm across days and there bushes bearing fruit inside!
A grand palace surrounded by gardens and a ditch with water all around.
Gardens have wonderful trees and there is a beautiful bridge going to the palace.
It was a pity that it was closed when we visited this area but still it was nice to see it from outside.
Check the timetables before going.