Imperial Palace East Gardens Tokyo
Explore the serene East Gardens of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, featuring Edo Castle ruins and beautiful Japanese landscapes. Free entry!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Imperial Palace East Gardens Tokyo
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the serene East Gardens of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, featuring Edo Castle ruins and beautiful Japanese landscapes. Free entry!
"The East Gardens are free, historical, and a beautiful escape in the heart of Tokyo."
🎯 Check Garden Closure Days
Gardens are closed Mon & Fri. Don't make the mistake of visiting on these days! :calendar:
🚶♀️ Free Entry to Gardens
The East Gardens are completely free to explore. Enjoy the history and nature without a ticket! :moneywithwings:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
East Gardens
Central Tokyo
Explore serene Japanese landscapes and historical remnants of Edo Castle. A peaceful escape in the city's heart.
Edo Castle Ruins
Within East Gardens
Discover remnants of the former Edo Castle, including stone walls and moats, offering a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.
Nejibashi Bridge
Entrance to Palace Grounds
Admire the iconic Nejibashi Bridge, a picturesque stone bridge offering a classic view of the palace entrance.
Planning Your Visit
Garden Access & Closures
Palace Tours vs. Gardens
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Garden Closure Days
Gardens are closed Mon & Fri. Don't make the mistake of visiting on these days! :calendar:
🚶♀️ Free Entry to Gardens
The East Gardens are completely free to explore. Enjoy the history and nature without a ticket!
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking to explore the vast gardens and ruins. :athletic_shoe:
📸 Capture the Scenery
The gardens offer beautiful Japanese landscapes and historical structures perfect for photos. :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Garden Closure Days
Gardens are closed Mon & Fri. Don't make the mistake of visiting on these days! :calendar:
🚶♀️ Free Entry to Gardens
The East Gardens are completely free to explore. Enjoy the history and nature without a ticket!
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking to explore the vast gardens and ruins. :athletic_shoe:
📸 Capture the Scenery
The gardens offer beautiful Japanese landscapes and historical structures perfect for photos. :camerawithflash:
⏳ Arrive Early for Tours
If you want a palace tour, arrive early to sign up for same-day passes as they fill up fast. :ticket:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors often praise the Imperial Palace East Gardens for their serene beauty, historical significance, and free entry, offering a peaceful escape in central Tokyo. While the gardens are highly recommended, some find the guided tours of the main palace less engaging than anticipated, suggesting the gardens provide a more rewarding experience for many.
"There are extensive grounds, that are well maintained, that you can walk through. You could easily spend an hour or two just walking the entire grounds. That being said, there are not a lot of flowers in this garden. Our group was kind of looking forward to seeing some flower gardens, but there were no major ones. There are some benches. There are some rest areas near the bathrooms."
Jim C
"Only the garden around the palace is accessible to the public. It is a very large area, extremely nice to walk around. There are fish in the water surrounding the palace and fruit trees everywhere around the grounds. The whole area is immaculately maintained. On the day of my visit, it was not too crowded thus the long walk was very enjoyable. A bit of a distance from the subway, so prepare for a lot of walking!"
G D
"Expect lots of walking especially since we just went to the free entrance after security. Very serene, but lots of tourists. The shops were cute and there are enough bathrooms everywhere. Overall, if you’re looking for a place to just look at nature amidst this concrete jungle - this is it."
Angel de Leon
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Tokyo Station, you can walk to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Head out from the Marunouchi side, cross the street, and follow the signs. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. Some visitors also mention taking a short taxi or subway ride.
While there isn't direct parking within the East Gardens, there are several paid parking lots available in the surrounding Marunouchi and Otemachi areas. It's often recommended to use public transport due to convenience and cost.
Some outer areas of the palace grounds are accessible 24 hours a day, but the East Garden itself has specific opening hours and is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
From Shinjuku, you can take the JR Chuo Line to Tokyo Station and then walk, or take a direct subway line like the Marunouchi Line to Otemachi Station, which is very close to the East Gardens.
No, the Imperial Palace East Gardens are completely free to enter and explore.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No advance booking is required for the East Gardens as they are free to enter. However, if you wish to take a guided tour of the inner palace grounds, reservations are highly recommended and can be competitive.
The East Gardens are typically open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM, depending on the season. They are closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as on New Year's holidays. Always check the official website for the most current hours.
Same-day tour passes for the Imperial Palace grounds are sometimes available, but they are limited and fill up very quickly. It's best to arrive early in the morning to try and secure one.
The Imperial Palace is the primary residence of the Emperor and requires a guided tour to access certain areas. The East Gardens are part of the former Edo Castle grounds, are free to enter, and offer a more open exploration of historical sites and gardens.
Yes, the Imperial Palace grounds are opened to the public on Emperor's Birthday (February 23rd) and New Year's Day. Expect very large crowds and long lines if you plan to visit on these special occasions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the remnants of Edo Castle, including the foundation of the former castle keep, moats, and guardhouses. The gardens themselves feature beautiful Japanese landscaping, ponds, and various plant species.
Most visitors spend 1-2 hours exploring the East Gardens, depending on their pace and interest in the historical ruins and gardens.
Yes, there are restrooms available within the East Gardens. It's advisable to carry your own water and snacks as facilities are limited.
The paths within the East Gardens are generally paved and relatively flat, making them accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. However, some areas with uneven terrain or stairs might be challenging.
Focus on capturing the serene landscapes, the historical castle ruins, and the iconic Nejibashi Bridge. Early morning light can offer beautiful, soft illumination.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no restaurants or cafes located directly within the Imperial Palace East Gardens. You'll need to exit the gardens to find dining options in the surrounding Marunouchi or Otemachi areas.
The Marunouchi and Otemachi districts surrounding the palace offer a wide range of dining options, from casual cafes and bento shops to upscale restaurants. Tokyo Station also has numerous eateries.
Yes, you are generally allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the East Gardens. It's a great spot for a picnic if you pack your own lunch.
📸 📸 Photography
Key photo spots include the Nejibashi Bridge, the remnants of the castle keep (like the stone foundation), the Ninomaru Garden, and scenic views of the moats and surrounding greenery.
Yes, photography is generally allowed within the Imperial Palace East Gardens. However, it's always good practice to be respectful of other visitors and avoid intrusive photography.
Early morning offers softer light and fewer crowds, making it ideal for photography. Late afternoon can also provide beautiful golden hour light.
Drone usage is strictly prohibited in and around the Imperial Palace grounds and gardens for security and privacy reasons.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For families interested in the palace itself, the guided tours might be less engaging for younger children due to the focus on historical explanations. However, the walk around the outer grounds and the visual spectacle of the moats and bridges can still be captivating. Remember to check the garden's closure days (Mondays and Fridays) to ensure your visit is possible.
🚶 Budget Travelers
This makes it an ideal addition to any Tokyo itinerary focused on saving money. While tours of the main Imperial Palace are also free, they require advance booking and can be difficult to secure. If you can't get a tour, the East Gardens offer a substantial and historically rich experience that costs nothing. Combine your visit with a packed lunch to further minimize expenses.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
For the best light, aim for early morning visits when the crowds are thinner and the sun casts a soft glow. The changing seasons also bring unique photographic moments, with vibrant autumn colors and delicate spring blossoms adding to the garden's beauty.
While drone photography is prohibited, the grounds themselves provide ample subjects for stunning ground-level shots. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the East Gardens: A Free Historical Journey
+1These gardens are not just about historical ruins; they are a testament to Japanese garden design. You'll find serene ponds, carefully placed rocks, and a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. It's a peaceful oasis in the bustling heart of Tokyo, offering a tranquil escape and a chance to appreciate the city's rich history. Many visitors find the East Gardens to be more engaging and visually rewarding than the limited access tours of the main palace.
Key features to look out for include the Ote-mon Gate, one of the main entrances, the Nejibashi Bridge, and the Hyakunin-bansho, a former guardhouse. The sheer scale of the remaining stone walls gives a sense of the castle's former grandeur. Remember that the gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Navigating Imperial Palace Tours: What to Expect
Reservations can be made online through the Imperial Household Agency's website, but spots often fill up weeks or even months in advance, especially during peak seasons.
It's important to manage expectations: the tours offer a glimpse into the palace's ceremonial spaces but do not allow entry into the Emperor's private residence. Some visitors have found the tours to be 'underwhelming' compared to the historical depth offered by the East Gardens.
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