Tokyo Imperial Palace & East Gardens
皇居・皇居東御苑
The Emperor's residence on the site of Edo Castle; view Nijubashi from the Outer Garden, or enter the free East Gardens to see the ruins of Edo Castle's keep.
The Imperial Palace stands in central Tokyo on the site of Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is surrounded by moats and stone walls. From the Outer Garden plaza, visitors can view Nijubashi bridge and Fushimi-yagura turret. The East Gardens occupy the ruins of Edo Castle's Honmaru and Ninomaru and are free to enter. They feature the Tenshudai (keep foundation), the Hyakunin-bansho guardhouse and a Japanese garden of seasonal flowers and trees. The East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays, and opening hours vary by season, with closing times between 16:00 and 18:00. The Imperial Household Agency offers free guided tours of the palace grounds every day, by online reservation. Chidorigafuchi, on the northwest side, is one of Tokyo's top cherry blossom spots, and you can row a boat there. A loop around the palace is about 5 km and a popular running route. Otemachi Station and Nijubashimae Station are each about a 5-minute walk away.
Opening hours
East Garden 09:00–16:00/18:00 (closed Mondays and Fridays); outer garden open all day
Nearby sights
- Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
- Ginza
- teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Tokyo Tower
- Akihabara
- Roppongi Hills & Tokyo City View
- Ameya-Yokochō (Ameyoko)