The Imperial Palace Tokyo
The Imperial Palace Tokyo is one of the top Tokyo Attractions.
Don't miss out on one of the best things to do in Tokyo.
Get all the information you need on visiting hours and guided tours in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Tokyo Imperial Palace is surrounded by a water-filled moat and stone walls. It occupies the most expensive square kilometer in the world.
Tokyo Imperial Palace - Hours
The inner gardens and buildings of the Japanese Imperial Palace are closed to the public except on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), when the imperial family makes a public appearance.
During the rest of the year, guided tours of the palace are conducted in Japanese (but English brochures and an Audio Guide in English are available). The tour is 75 minutes. The residential parts of the Palace are not included in this tour. If you'd like to join a tour, you have to book in advance. For Reservations
click here.
The Japanese Imperial Palace Gardens are open to the public daily except Mondays and Fridays. The entrance is free.
The gardens are especially beautiful during the Sakura - cherry blossom season, and also during plum blossom (March and April). This area is very popular for Hanami - cherry Blossom viewing.
Opening Hours:
- 9:00 am - 16:30 pm (enter by 16:00 pm, Mar. to Oct)
- 9:00 am - 16:00 pm (enter by 15:30 pm, Nov. to Feb)
The Otemachi gate near the Otemachi subway station is best for entering the Imperial Palace Tokyo.
Tokyo Imperial Palace is also ten minutes walk from Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line. The Japanese imperial palace is also walking distance from Marunouchi - one of the most luxurious areas of Tokyo.
Emperor Meiji And The Edo Castle
In 1868, when the
Shoguns
lost their power, the palace became the official residence of the new Emperor Meiji. The Emperor relocated the capital from Kyoto to Edo, and renamed Edo to the name Tokyo.
The Imperial Palace Tokyo was destroyed by bombings during World War II. It was rebuilt in the same style in 1968.
Emperors have ruled over Japan for more than 1500 years, and they all came from the same family. The power of the emperors was limited or purely symbolic throughout most of Japan's history. The shoguns were the ones who actually ruled Japan.
After world war 2 japanese people accepted the constitution of 1946 that states that the emperor has only a symbolic function.
These days he mainly participates in ceremonies and diplomatic meetings, but has no real political power.
In 1989, Emperor Akihito became Japan's 125th emperor. He is married to Empress Michiko, the first empress who did not come from the aristocracy. Their eldest son is Crown Prince Naruhito.
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