Japan’s imperial past still fascinates people. Tokyo, the country’s capital, is home to several historical landmarks that showcase the splendour of Japan’s past. One such landmark is the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, a must-visit for anyone looking for a break from the city bustle and to admire outstanding ancient Japanese architecture. This article aims to interest you in a visit to this grandiose Japanese palace.

Imperial Palace of Tokyo - Photo by Nopparuj Lamaikul on Unsplash

While it’s a place with a long and eventful history with fascinating narratives, the Imperial Palace of Tokyo is still the residence of the emperor. It sits right in the heart of the city, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city. You cannot inspect the interior of the palace, but there are special occasions when visitors are allowed inside. Even though the interior world of the palace remains a mystery to visitors, the exterior and the palace gardens offer plenty to admire. Covering 1.15 square kilometres, the palace premises feature several manicured gardens, topiary trees, and serene lawns.

The palace is a sought-after tourist attraction. Not too far away from the palace, you can find various hotels and other accommodation options. If you’re in search of Tokyo serviced apartments on weekly reservations, you’re sure to find one that meets all your requirements within shouting distance of the palace. For instance, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo is only a 2-minute car drive away.

For over two centuries, the Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan – this period in history is called the Edo Period. However, their rule came to an end in 1868. During the Edo Period, the capital was Kyoto, and afterwards, the capital was moved to Tokyo. The palace you see today was a former Edo castle. World War II laid waste to the palace, but it was later reconstructed with a similar design and architectural elements.

You can swing by the palace whenever you want to. The palace is surrounded by a jogging track, which gets quite busy during morning and evening hours. The palace’s East Gardens are open to the public all throughout the year.

Make sure you have at least an hour or so to appreciate everything about the palace and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

You can get a map of the palace grounds on the official website.

To explore some parts of the palace grounds, you need to sign up for a walking tour. Tours are conducted in both English and Japanese, from Tuesday to Saturday. You can buy tickets once you arrive at the palace, but you have to queue up for the tickets, which is a palaver you can avoid by calling up the Imperial Household Agency and making a reservation. Tours start at 9.30 AM, 10 AM, and 1.30 PM. The tour lasts 75 minutes, and the group gathers at Kikyomon Gate. Although you won’t see the inside of the palace, the tour covers some of the best features of the palace ground, including the Lotus Moat, the Mt. Fuji-view Keep, and the Nijyu Bridge.

You can visit East Gardens every day except Mondays and Fridays, and there’s no entrance fee. If you visit during spring and autumn, you’ll be treated to a soul-stirring display of soft-petaled cherry blossoms. You can walk around the garden as much as you want to. While here, you can visit the site of the former Edo castle and the ruins of a castle tower that caught fire about 300 years ago. If you have more time left, pop into the Museum of the Imperial Collections and admire vast collections of relics of Japan’s not-so-forgotten past.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could see the Japanese royal family up close? Your wish will be granted on New Year's Day. While they don’t entertain visitors all throughout the year, you can see them during the New Year celebrations – on the 2^nd of January, they make a few public appearances from morning to evening. Be aware that the palace grounds are filled to the hilt on this day.