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.
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.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Tokyo Imperial Palace on Map
Sight Name: Tokyo Imperial Palace
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan
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
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.
At the heart of Asakusa, you'll find the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a helpful starting point... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
At the heart of Asakusa, you'll find the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a helpful starting point... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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
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
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
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
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.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tokyo Imperial Palace Walking Tour
The Imperial Palace, the residence of the Japanese Emperor, is a vast expanse of green in the heart of Tokyo, surrounded by moats. The palace stands on the site previously occupied by the Edo Castle, in the 17th–19th centuries. While the royal residential compound is closed for visitors (except for two days a year – January 1st and December 23rd), a big part of the palace grounds, including... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Eclectic Bars of Tokyo
Time to tap glasses and share laughs in Tokyo, a city of wondrous variety! In this app is an insider's guide to attractive drinking bars, and places nearby that are worthy experiences (theatres, shrines, shopping districts, etc).
Each bar has been carefully chosen throughout this endless...
Authentic Japanese Dining in Tokyo
Tokyo is home to literally a million eating places, so finding a truly authentic Japanese style restaurant with an English language menu can be rather tricky. We have compiled a list of easy to find Japanese style restaurants covering a range of culinary specialties to make your taste-buds tingle...
Tokyo Souvenirs: 18 Authentic Japanese Products to Buy in Tokyo
The list of the delights of Tokyo is long and being exposed to just some of them, at some point, can make one addicted (just as the Charles Winchester III character from the M.A.S.H. series). Still, you can always "prolong" the experience and enjoy the effects of it more, if bring home...
12 Must-Try Traditional Japanese Foods in Tokyo
Cuisine is an integral part of any local culture, and no trip to Tokyo is complete without tasting the authentic, Tokyo-made Japanese food. This directory offers information about the traditional dishes and drinks available in Tokyo to help visitors better understand the local food culture and make...