If you read this, your sightseeing at the Imperial Palace will be perfect! “Imperial Palace General Tour” at Fukiage Gardens

What is the Imperial Palace area like?

The Imperial Palace is located in the center of Tokyo. The vast Imperial Palace area has a variety of sections, including areas that are prohibited to entry, areas that can be viewed freely, and areas that can be visited by participating in the tour introduced here. A long time ago, Edo Castle of the Tokugawa Shogunate was located here, and it is a place where you can feel the long history of Japan.

Kitanomaru Park (purple area) is home to the Nippon Budokan, where various events are held, the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art (MOMAT) , and a famous autumn foliage spot. You can freely enter and exit Kitanomaru Park. "The East Garden of the Imperial Palace(orange area)" is a very nice park, and you can freely stroll around it during business hours.

The Kokyo Gaien National Garden(yellow area) is a magnificent plaza in front of the Imperial Palace. Here, you can freely tour the stone walls of Edo Castle and the bridge at the entrance to the Imperial Palace. The Emperor's family lives in Fukiage Gardens(green area). For this reason, security is so strict that it is generally not possible to enter, but if you participate in the "Imperial Palace General Tour," you can see part of the grounds. Now, I would like to introduce the "Imperial Palace General Tour" which is very popular among foreign visitors tourists.

I participated in the "Imperial Palace General Tour"!

The Imperial Palace general tour will be held in the morning and afternoon. The morning session starts at 10:00 a.m., the afternoon session starts at 1:30 p.m., and the meeting time is 30 minutes before the start time. You can apply to participate in the tour in advance from the Imperial Household Agency website, but due to the popularity of the tour, applications may not be accepted on some dates. In that case, there is also a "same-day reception", so be sure to get your numbered ticket on the day! Numbered tickets will be handed out in the morning session from 9am, but there will be a line to get numbered tickets after 8am, so get there early!

There is a long line of tour participants for "same-day registration."

The tour is finally starting!

A professional guide will lead you around and explain the history and culture of the Imperial Palace.

Fujimi Yagura, which was once destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1659, is a remnant from the days when Edo Castle existed. The triple layered structure is a luxury that is rare even in Japan!

The white building is called Fujimi Tamon and is one of the buildings that housed the weapons of Edo Castle's main castle. The height of the stone wall is 20 meters! This is historic high security!

One of the personal highlights for me, Editor-in-Chief Malai, was the Imperial Household Agency building. The front part of the building built in 1935 is pentagonal (diamond-shaped) and looks cool! The building was originally used as a temporary palace. The Imperial Household Agency is an organization that takes care of the official duties of the Emperor, Empress, and other members of the Imperial Family, and strives to pass on the culture passed down by the Imperial Family.

Another highlight is the palace! Basically, you cannot get any closer to the Emperor's workplace than this. The object you can see in the back is the pine tower, which is 16 meters high!

Once you cross the Nijubashi Bridge, you will get a beautiful view of Fushimi Yagura, which is said to be the most beautiful turret in the Imperial Palace. It was dismantled and relocated from the turret of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto.

At the end of the tour, walk back to Kikyomon Gate. Along the way, you will pass through Yamashita Street, the quietest and greenest street in the Imperial Palace. I was surprised that central Tokyo was so quiet. The natural beauty that changes depending on the season is also one of the attractions of the tour.

I was able to see historical buildings from about 600 years ago, when Edo Castle existed, facilities used by the Emperor, and beautiful nature, which I was impressed by and was able to see places that are normally not accessible! There are many places you can enjoy after the tour ends, such as visiting The East Garden of the Imperial Palace(orange area) where you can stroll freely, or taking a break at restaurants and cafes around Tokyo Station. Everyone, please come and join us on the "Imperial Palace General Tour"!

Imperial Palace General Tour

Japanese website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sankan/sankaninfo.html

English website: https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/multilingual/lang/en/information.html#sankan1

Closed days: Sundays, Mondays, and days with special events

Also, dates may change due to weather or events, so please check the official website in advance.

Access: Transportation and time required to the tour meeting place (Kikyomon Gate)

Approximately 10 minutes walk from Nijubashi-mae Station (Exit 6) on the Chiyoda Subway Line

Approximately 10 minutes walk from Otemachi Station (Exit D2) on the Subway Mita Line

Approximately 15 minutes walk from JR Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Central Exit)

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/CPxz5Rgz6qjo3NvY8

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