Tokyo Imperial Palace

Welcome to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the historical and spiritual heart of Japan. Located in the center of this bustling metropolis, just a short walk from Tokyo Station, the palace grounds offer a profound contrast to the…

Our journey begins at Kokyo Gaien, the vast Outer Garden that spreads across the front of the palace. This wide, gravel-covered area is characterized by its orderly rows of black pines, meticulously pruned to maintain a…

We now enter the East Gardens, the former site of the Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense, the Honmaru and Ninomaru. These gardens are open to the public free of charge and offer a unique opportunity to walk among the…

Standing before the Main Gate and the Nijubashi Bridge, you are at the most formal entrance to the Imperial Palace. This is where the Emperor and visiting heads of state enter for official ceremonies and functions. …

To the north of the main palace grounds lies Kitanomaru Park, a more wooded and tranquil area that was once the site of the castle's northern defensive loop. Today, it is a hub of culture and recreation, home to several important…

While the interior of the Imperial Palace buildings is generally closed to the public, recent technological advances have made it possible to explore these spaces virtually. The Imperial Household Agency's website now offers…

Located within the East Gardens is the Sannomaru Shozokan, or the Museum of the Imperial Collections. This museum houses a vast array of artworks and historical artifacts that have been passed down through the Imperial Family for…

Our journey through the Tokyo Imperial Palace concludes where it began, at the heart of the city. We have traversed the ruins of a mighty shogunate, walked through gardens of exquisite beauty, and glimpsed the settings for the…