One of the most popular attractions in Tokyo, the historic Tokyo Imperial Palace is the home of the Emperor of Japan built on the site of an old Edo-period castle. Spread across 1.15 square kilometres, the Tokyo Imperial Palace houses numerous Imperial Family private residences, engaging museums, scenic waterways and beautiful gardens.
Take a tour through the palace grounds to witness some of the iconic buildings, including Seimon-tetsu-bashi Bridge, the Fushimi-yagura Keep and Kyuden Totei Plaza. For incredible views of Mount Fuji, head to the Fujimi-yagura. Don’t forget to explore the surrounding gardens, such as Ninomaru Garden, which boasts over 30 different varieties of symbolic trees.
Don’t miss seeing the Suwa no Chaya, a historic teahouse in the Fukiage Garden that dates back to the Edo period. You can easily combine the Tokyo Imperial Palace with a visit to the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and the National Theatre of Japan.
Getting there
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is about four kilometres from the centre of Tokyo and 25 kilometres from Haneda Airport. You can easily get to the palace by using the local taxis or a combination of buses and trains, which stop at the entrance of Tokyo Imperial Palace.