This site was first a shogun residence, then the home for Japan’s emperor. Destroyed in World War II, it was reconstructed to its original splendor.

Tokyo Imperial Palace remains the primary residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. Much like residences for heads of state around the world, the palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. However, twice a year (December 23 and January 2), you can enter the inner palace gardens to see the Imperial Family waving from a balcony.

The ancient name for Tokyo was Edo. From the 1600s to 1867, shoguns ruling Edo occupied this site in central Tokyo, living in Edo Castle. In 1868, when the shogunate was displaced, Japan moved its capital from Kyoto to Tokyo and occupied the Edo Castle site. After fire destroyed much of the complex, they built a new imperial palace in 1888.

Take note of the stone walls and towers and the Nijubashi bridges crossing the moat from outer to inner palace grounds. They are reminiscent of structures on the site hundreds of years ago when moats and ramparts served a critical protective function.

To the east of the residence is the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is open to the public daily, except Mondays and Fridays. The venue offers peaceful green spaces and ponds with a landscaped Japanese garden. Relics from early castle walls are visible. Nearby are the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, the MOMAT Kogeikan Crafts Gallery and the Science Museum.

Just north of the palace is Kitanomaru Park, a public area that is the site of Nippon Budokan Hall. The Budokan is a world famous martial arts, wrestling and music performance center that has hosted international stars from The Beatles to Taylor Swift. The Yasukuni Shrine is a short walk northwest.

The palace is located in the center of Tokyo on a 1.3-square mile (3.4-square kilometer) site. It is just a few minutes from Tokyo station. Otemachi station is the closest to the East Garden and Kudanshita is closest to Budokan.

Plan a trip to see Tokyo Imperial Palace

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Kawasaki Ward

￥28,499

per person

Sep 25 - Sep 27

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Roundtrip flight included

Sapporo (CTS) to Tokyo (HND)

9.2/10 Wonderful! (454 reviews)

The property was very clean and the staff were very kind and polite! We went down most mornings for the breakfast! There is a bar right there that you can every day sit from 5:30 to 6:30 for happy hour and have free beer! Everything there is kinda on this small side in Japan, but the rooms large enough to relax and shower ! I was therefore exploring and didn’t plan on spending all my time in my hotel room! I even got dinner there a few times and it was very good! I stayed there for two weeks and I was on the second floor, which is right next to the laundry room, which was nice! I really enjoyed the rooftop! I like to go to the 10th floor and grab me a drink from their drink machine and then sit out there on the rooftop and just watch the sky and stars and look over the side. The staff there was very friendly and accommodating! The location was right next to Kawasaki Metro! Plenty of shopping, plenty of bars, close to 7-eleven as well as Lawson’s! I would highly recommend it if you’re not really looking for luxury, but a clean and comfortable place to relax and rest your head!

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026