Ginza
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Imperial Palace
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Photo: Fg2, Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- free
- Hours
- East Gardens: 9:00 to 16:00–18:00 by season; closed Mon and Fri
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- East Gardens
- Free; closed Mondays and Fridays
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Garden hours
- From 9:00; closes 16:00–18:00 by season, last entry 30 min before
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Palace tour
- Free, by booking; twice a day, not Sun or Mon
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Tour route
- ≈ 2.2 km, about an hour, little shade
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Kokyo Gaien plaza
- Always open — views of the bridge and moat
- From Tokyo Station
- 10–15 minutes on foot from the Marunouchi exit
Key facts
1868since then the palace has been the emperors' residence
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kunaicho.go.jpEdo Castlethe palace stands on the site of the shoguns' castle
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en.wikipedia≈ 1.15 km²area of the palace grounds and gardens
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en.wikipedia1968since then the East Gardens have been open to all
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kunaicho.go.jpTenshudaithe base of Edo Castle's keep — in the East Gardens
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kunaicho.go.jp≈ 2.2 kmthe palace grounds tour route
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sankan.kunaicho.go.jp¥0for the East Gardens and the tour
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kunaicho.go.jpBag checksat the garden entrance — bring as little as possible
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kunaicho.go.jpWhat is the Imperial Palace?
The Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, home to the emperors since 1868. It sits in the centre of Tokyo, in Chiyoda, on the site of the old Edo Castle, seat of the shoguns. The palace grounds and gardens cover about 1.15 km², ringed by stone walls and moats.
The emperor's quarters are closed, but visitors can enjoy three things: the Kokyo Gaien plaza with views of the stone bridge over the moat and Fushimi turret, the free East Gardens on the site of the castle's main compounds, and a free tour of the palace grounds by booking.
The East Gardens
The East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen) have been open to all since 1968. They occupy part of Edo Castle's former Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru compounds. Here you can see the Tenshudai — the stone base of the castle keep — old guardhouses, the Fujimi turret and the Ninomaru Japanese garden with its pond and teahouse.
Entry is free, via the Ote-mon, Hirakawa-mon or Kitahanebashi-mon gates. Hours depend on the season: opening at 9:00, closing at 16:00 from November to February, 17:00 in spring and September, and 18:00 from mid-April to August; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
The palace grounds tour
The Imperial Household Agency runs a free tour of the palace grounds twice a day, morning and afternoon. The route is about 2.2 km, roughly an hour on foot with little shade. You don't enter the buildings, but you pass the main palace and bridges that are only visible from afar from the plaza.
Book online — from the 1st of the previous month until 4 days before — or on the day: numbered tickets are handed out at Kikyo-mon gate from 9:00 for the morning tour and from 12:30 for the afternoon one. Bring your passport. There are no afternoon tours from July to September.
What to see
- Seimon Ishibashi bridge over the moat — the view from Kokyo Gaien.
- Fushimi turret on the wall above the bridge.
- Tenshudai — the base of Edo Castle's keep.
- Ninomaru garden with its pond and teahouse.
- Old guardhouses by the castle gates.
- Moats and stone walls around the palace.
How to get to the Imperial Palace
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Tokyo Station — Marunouchi exit, 10–15 minutes on foot across the Kokyo Gaien plaza.
- From Nijubashimae station (Chiyoda line) — exit 6, about 5 minutes to the plaza and 10 minutes to Kikyo-mon gate.
- From Otemachi station (Mita line) — exit D2, about 10 minutes to the gate.
- From Haneda airport — Keikyu line or monorail with a change, 30–40 minutes to the centre.
- From Narita airport — Narita Express to Tokyo Station, about an hour.
East Gardens or palace tour
| East Gardensyou are here | Not needed | Keep base, gardens, guardhouses | Mon and Fri | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palace tour | Online or a same-day ticket | The grounds near the main palace | Sun, Mon and holidays | Free |
How long do you need?
Allow 1.5 hours for the plaza and East Gardens, or about 3 hours with the tour. It's easy to start the day at the palace and then walk to Ginza — 15–20 minutes.
In spring the cherry trees bloom in the gardens; in autumn the maples turn red. A popular running route circles the palace — about 5 km.
Is the Imperial Palace worth visiting?
Yes: it's the heart of Tokyo — moats, stone walls and quiet amid the skyscrapers, and both the East Gardens and the tour are free.
The YesGo take: you'll see little of the palace itself — it's a residence, not a museum. Come on a day the East Gardens are open, and book the tour in advance if you want to get closer.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Central Tokyo in a day
The Imperial Palace and East Gardens in the morning, a stroll through Ginza in the afternoon, and a show at the Kabuki-za in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Tokyo Imperial Palaceyou are here1 h 30 min · free
- 30 min walk from the previous stopGinza1 h 30 min · free
- 5 min walk from the previous stopKabuki-za1 h 30 min · single act ¥1,600–10,800 (Nov 2026)
3 places · about 5 h 5 min with walks · 35 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Kabuki-za
Tokyo, Japan
How to do it right
- The gardens close Mon and Fri — check the calendar.
- Same-day tour tickets at Kikyo-mon from 9:00.
- Leave large bags at the station.
- The best bridge view is from Kokyo Gaien plaza.
- Next: Ginza, 15–20 minutes on foot.
Questions
Can you go inside the Imperial Palace?
Not into the residence, but there's a free booked tour of the grounds.
How much is entry to the East Gardens?
Entry is free.
When are the East Gardens closed?
On Mondays and Fridays and from 28 December to 3 January.
How do I book the tour?
Online on the Imperial Household Agency site, or a same-day ticket at Kikyo-mon gate.
How long is the tour?
About an hour, on a ≈ 2.2 km route.
How do I get there?
10–15 minutes on foot from Tokyo Station or 5 minutes from Nijubashimae.
Do I need a passport?
For the tour, yes — an original ID.
How long do you need?
1.5 hours for the gardens and plaza, about 3 hours with the tour.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Imperial Household Agency (kunaicho.go.jp) — East Gardens: days, hours, entry, bag checks (official, checked 09.11.2026)
- Tour booking site (sankan.kunaicho.go.jp) — schedule, booking, route, Kikyo-mon gate (official)
- English Wikipedia: Tokyo Imperial Palace — area, Edo Castle
- Wikidata Q500681 — coordinates
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