Experts' Choice Award Imperial Palace
What the experts agree on
Built atop 15th-century Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace is Tokyo's iconic heart. While the residence itself remains closed, the stunning 250,000-tree Higashi-gyoen Garden welcomes visitors year-round, plus special palace access on the emperor's
Frommer's "The Imperial Palace, home of the Imperial family, is the heart and soul of Tokyo." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Located on the former site of the 15th-century Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace is the official residence of Japan's royal family." Full review
Time Out "Tokyo's Imperial Palace stands on what was once the site of Edo castle and residence of the Tokugawa shogunate." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The Emperor, who lives there still, opens it to the public on 23 December and 2 January each year. The rest of the year, visitors can wander among the 250,000 trees of Higashi-gyoen Garden." Full review
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Get a glimpse of the monarch's treasures in the Museum of the Imperial Collections.
Condé Nast Traveler "On the emperor’s birthday—December 23—the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace are opened so the populace can come wish the emperor good health and a long life." Full review
National Geographic "My favorite jogging/walking route is around the Imperial Palace, where a charming 5 km run starts from Sakuradamon and continues into the inner moat, passing the Imperial Palace Public..."
Independent "Our first stop is the great Imperial Palace Road – essentially a very broad gravel driveway that links Tokyo station to the front gates of the Emperor's residence. The road was built to..."
National Geographic "A wide moat and towering stone walls restrict access to the grounds of Japan's Imperial Palace, which visitors can explore while on free guided tours offered Monday through Friday at 10..."
Lonely Planet "Most visitors are naturally drawn to the city's geographical and cultural centerpiece, the Imperial Palace. You could easily spend a day exploring this historic complex and the..."
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