Tokyo Imperial Palace

Name: Tokyo Imperial Palace
Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan
Rating: 4.4

4.4 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Historical Place・Park・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Tokyo Imperial Palace, a stunning piece of Japanese heritage, occupies a central position in Tokyo. This vast estate, once the residence of the shogun, became the official home of Japan’s Emperor after the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Surrounded by moats and massive stone walls, the palace sits on grounds spanning over 280 acres, reflecting Japan's rich history and tradition.

The palace complex includes several structures: the main palace (Kyūden), the Fukiage Gardens, and various administrative offices. Though the inner grounds are closed to the public, they open on New Year’s Day and the Emperor’s Birthday, allowing rare glimpses into this majestic site.

Nearby, the East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen) are open year-round, offering a serene escape with their meticulously maintained landscapes, historic ruins, and seasonal blooms. The gardens also feature the Edo Castle ruins, adding a historical depth to the visit.

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Thursday: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Friday: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Saturday: 9:00 – 11:15 AM, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Sunday: Closed

Phone

+81 3-3213-1111

Website

sankan.kunaicho.go.jp

The area

Address

1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan

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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.

Manabendra Mukherjee

Mar 26, 2025

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.

Ryou Takeshi

Mar 16, 2025

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.

CZ On line

Feb 19, 2025

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!

Arjun Sood

Mar 11, 2025

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.