A very huge area. Lots to walk and walk. It was a large garden, but when we visited it was not fully in its well maintained state, probably because of the off season. If you have time, you can definitely check out the imperial palace. There are a lot of guided tours available and you can spend a lot of time here if needed. We did the garden tour and basic areas of the palace
The first sight as you exit the Imperial Palace metro station is breathtaking. A wide moat surrounds the Emperor's Imperial Palace, with light green grass on the other side of the moat, and the stone castle walls are about ten meters high. We booked a guided tour for 10 a.m. on the Imperial Palace’s official website a month in advance, and I managed to secure a spot on the first day of the month. If you don't have a reservation, you can still come in the morning for a drop-in tour. There are about 100 drop-in spots available daily, and they are usually gone by 10 a.m.
Once inside, everyone gathers in a huge hall, which can seat around 1,000 to 2,000 people. A Japanese police officer gives an introduction in Japanese. In the hall, you can store your bags for free and purchase souvenirs related to the Imperial Palace. After waiting for a while, when the group was complete, they divided us into five groups based on language: Japanese, English, Chinese, French, and Spanish.
The English group was probably the largest, with around 300 to 500 people. The guide’s speaker only reached the front few rows, so those in the back couldn’t hear very well, which affected the experience. The guide had a bit of a strong accent, and I could only understand about half of what she said. The Japanese group was the smallest, with only around 20 people. Throughout the tour, you must follow the guide and cannot wander off on your own. The tour lasts about an hour, during which you can see traditional Japanese architecture, the Emperor's temporary residence after World War II, and lush gardens.
I didn’t absorb much information during the tour, but seeing the Emperor's residence in person was a truly unique experience.
It's my second time visiting here, and still love it. It's the place expressing the great Japanese culture. The place is well maintainace. The sightseeing and garden around the palace are wonderful. I enjoy and kept walking for a half day. Great place for relaxing and breathing.
Here’s a revised version of your review:
A great spot for a morning run during your visit to Japan! The Imperial Palace grounds are very clean and well-maintained, with many people running here daily. You can enjoy the fresh air and scenic views all at once. I highly recommend going early in the morning to kickstart your day with a refreshing run around the Imperial Palace!
