Kyoto Imperial Palace

Unclaimed

Free to enter, audio guide throughout the palace, and interesting historical background. My leisurely self-guided tour took me about 40 minutes. It's not as picturesque as some other places in Kyoto, but if you like history you'll like it. It's also an interesting contrast to Nijo castle nearby.

A beautiful place for a leisurely stroll and be reminded even the emperor can live in a zen and simple setting. Very basic compared to the Versailles, palaces of the west. A great way to experience the cultural differences. Lots of insights from seeing the simple waiting room, carriage house and meeting quarters. Garden is great fit Sakura viewing. Free entry. Easily accessible, sizeable parking lot. Easy to access. -1 hr to walk the palace and probably 30 min+ strolling its big surrounding garden. Fairly flat, sandy path.

The grounds of the Imperial Palace are huge, and the architecture is amazing. You can take a guided tour, but we opted to wander about ourselves. The beautiful gardens are absolutely immaculate and stunning. No entry fee makes this a fantastic place to visit.

The surrounding park have lots of fruit trees with fragrant blossoms & an extremely shallow creek for kids to play in. The palace buildings are interesting BUT the Oikeniwa Garden is what make the long walk worth-it. Every corner is postcard-photo worthy. Simply amazing.

Peaceful and relaxing for nature lover. Old pine trees and elegant architecture of the palace is perfect scenery. Tourist supports are well-thought with many resting point area, english explaining signs, audio guide, english version map and helpful staffs. I absolutely enjoyed my time here.