Imperial Palace

Unclaimed

The castle grounds are so beautiful. We especially enjoy walking through the area to get a little more space in a crowded city. In the spring it is lovely because there is so much to see blooming. Lots of early cherry blooms to see if you make it here a little early.

Before going, visitors should take note of the gates that are open for the public. Google Maps will show several gates to access the gardens but there are only 3 gates that are open for public use, namely Otemon Gate, Hirakawa-mon Gate, and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate. We went through Otemon Gate as it was closer to our location, and we found that there's a museum just nearby the gate; however, the guards said that we need to have a reservation to be able to see the collection. We managed to walk through and take photos of the East Gardens in about an hour. I definitely recommend this place for anyone visiting Tokyo.

⸻ The Imperial Palace is definitely a must-see if you’re visiting Tokyo. The rich history alone makes it worth the visit, but the beautifully maintained gardens and serene atmosphere add so much to the experience. It’s a peaceful and fascinating site overall, and you can comfortably explore everything in about 45 minutes to an hour. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to connect with Tokyo’s heritage and enjoy a scenic walk.