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IMPERIAL PALACE TOKYO

Imperial Palace Tokyo - Kokyo - home of the Japanese Head of State. Imperial Palace Tokyo can be toured by the public.

The Imperial Palace Tokyo (皇居 Kokyo) is the home of the Emperor of Japan (the Japanese head of state). The actual Imperial Palace building was part of the Edo Castle. It is surrounded by a moat and a high wall and occupies the most expensive square kilometre in the world. The Imperial Palace Tokyo is located within the Chiyoda ward.

The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the public except on January 2 and December 23, when the imperial family makes a public appearance; foreigners can also apply online to join a guided tour at other times, but you must book in advance. Depending on demand, you sometimes can get in at relative short notice. Expect to share your tour with hundreds of other tourists. Tours are conducted in Japanese, but English audio guide is provided free of charge. There is no charge for this tour.

The Imperial Palace Tokyo was destroyed by allied bombing during World War II, even though it was not supposed to be targeted. It was rebuilt in the same style in 1968. It is the fact that the building is relatively new and does not display the beauty one may expect from a royal residence after seeing so many wonderful temples and shrines throughout Japan. While the gardens are beautiful in sections, the best gardens are definitely in the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Is it worth see the inner Imperial Palace? Yes, for what it represents, but not for its gardens or architecture. If you want to see a beautiful garden, see the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Imperial Palace Tokyo Map - See the layout of palace and gardens.

Imperial Palace Tokyo
Emperor Akihito prepares to greet the crowd on his birthday on Dec. 23, 2004. Photo by Philbert Ono.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens, however, are open to the public daily except Mondays and Fridays. Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons. Entrance is free through a number of gates; most visitors use the Otemachi gate near the subway station of the same name.

See almost 50 original photographs of the Imperial Palace East Garden in cherry blossom season in the Japanese Lifestyle picture gallery.

Nijubashi Bridge - Imperial Palace Tokyo
Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace.

It is said that the Nijubashi Bridge is the most photographed scene in Japan.

Imperial Palace Tokyo (Kokyo)
Former Edo Castle - Moat, Wall and tower

(Article based on Wikitravel article by Based on work by Paul N. Richter and Wikitravel user(s) Jpatokal and Nzpcmad. Article used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0.)

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TOKYO TOURS

Mt Fuji & Hakone
Day Tour

See this world famous Japanese Icon. Includes return trip via Shinkansen (bullet train)

Panoramic Tokyo
Day Tour

Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Guest House, National Diet Building, Imperial Palace East Garden, Asakusa Temple, Ginza, Tokyo Bay Cruise, Rainbow Bridge & Odaiba.

Cityrama Tokyo
Afternoon Tour

Tokyo Tower, National Diet Building, Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street & Ginza.

Kyoto Highlights Day Tour from Tokyo

The best of Kyoto in one day.
Kinkakuji Temple - Golden Pavilion
Kiyomizu Temple
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Nijo Castle
Heian Shrine
Sanjusangendo Hall
Kyoto Handicraft Center

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