Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo

Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo (must see)

The Tokyo Imperial Palace, also known as Kyūden, serves as the official residence for the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Situated in the heart of the city, it's encircled by imposing walls and a substantial moat.

This grand palace is situated on the grounds of the former Edo Castle, which once served as the residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the rulers of Tokyo during the Edo era. Following the shoguns' defeat in 1868, the imperial residence was relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo, and a new palace was constructed in 1888. However, during World War II, the palace suffered complete destruction due to air attacks. It was subsequently rebuilt, adhering to the original design, in 1968. Access to the palace is via a double bridge, and only remnants of the former Edo castle, such as moats, defensive walls, gatehouses, and turrets, remain today.

While the Kokyo Palace and its inner gardens are typically not open to the public, there are two exceptions each year. On January 2nd, people are allowed to greet the Emperor and Empress as they celebrate the New Year. Additionally, on December 23rd, the Emperor's birthday, the public can also pay their respects. During these special occasions, members of the imperial family often appear on the palace balcony. For those interested in exploring the inner garden and the Kokyo, it is possible to reserve a tour online through the imperial household agency.

Why You Should Visit:
Large, beautiful, quiet and green place worth a leisurely stroll, with an excellent view of Tokyo's high-rise skyline to boot.
The free tours are recommended for people who are more serious or interested in history and/or photography.

Tip:
Tours are conducted at 10am and 1:30pm each day for around 1h 15min duration.
Note that the tours are generally not conducted on Sundays & Mondays.
Be prepared to have a long, very long, walk through the area and avoid sunny afternoons.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace on Map

Sight Name: Tokyo Imperial Palace
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo

Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tokyo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Asakusa District Walking Tour

Asakusa District Walking Tour

The Asakusa district is one of the few places in Tokyo that retains the old world's charm. Known as Tokyo's oldest geisha district, this neighborhood houses narrow streets, temple markets, traditional shops and restaurants that collectively create the air of old Tokyo.

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Ginza Shopping Tour

Ginza Shopping Tour

Often compared with New York's Fifth Avenue, Ginza is the most luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. Its two main avenues running through the area, Chuo-dori Street and Harumi-dori Street, are lined with high-end boutiques, enormous department stores, and flagship stores of renowned international brands carrying a wealth of merchandise, from fashion and jewelry to electronics and cosmetics.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Ueno Park Walking Tour

Ueno Park Walking Tour

Ueno Park, found next to the Ueno subway station in Tokyo, is a sprawling urban oasis. Home to more than 1,000 cherry trees, each year during the cherry blossom season (between late March and early April) it becomes a site of pilgrimage equally popular with locals and tourists.

One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which pays tribute to the legendary...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Shibuya Walking Tour

Shibuya Walking Tour

The Shibuya district is a shopping and entertainment mecca for fashion-conscious and trendy teenagers. Synonymous with Japan's youth vogue and fun in general, the streets of Shibuya are lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. On weekends, crowds of youngsters converge here, dressed up in a myriad of colors and styles, set out to socialize and have a good time.

One of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Yanaka Walking Tour

Yanaka Walking Tour

A bit away from Downtown Tokyo, Yanaka is a hidden spot with a lot to offer. This neighborhood is known for its narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, and old-style shops. Having largely escaped the damage of World War II, Yanaka exudes the last-century charm of Tokyo's old town ambiance.

With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Shinjuku Walking Tour

Shinjuku Walking Tour

Known as the best entertainment district in Tokyo, Shinjuku abounds in venues where visitors can play, eat, and shop to their hearts' content all day long. Besides the endless list of fun, shopping, and dining options available, the district also offers some truly amazing sightseeing opportunities which are often underrated.

One of its iconic landmarks is the two towers of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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