Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Address: Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
- Hours: Open daily; tours by appointment only Mon - Fri and some Saturdays at 10am and 2pm
- Admission: Free
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Palace
Japan's royal family no longer live in Kyoto Imperial Palace, but the imperial furnishings have been preserved. The immaculate parkland surrounding the palace is one of Kyoto’s favorite public gardens.
The palace has been empty since 1868, when the Emperor moved into the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. You need to book ahead to take a palace tour led by the Imperial Household Agency. Tours highlight the ceremonial halls, Imperial Library, the Empress quarters and throne room.
The lovely parklands are filled with flowering trees and grassed areas, carp ponds and cherry blossom trees. Pack a picnic and come for the day.
Latest Reviews
Review by Beverley R, Australia, April 2013
Doing what: Kyoto Morning Tour - Kyoto Imperial Palace, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle
Tour guides are almost as important as tour itineraries, and we were very lucky on this tour to have 'Casey' as guide. His commentary on the three wonderful sites we visited was not just informative but enlivened with a gentle humour and the addition of fascinating snippets of historical and contemporary detail.
The organisation of the tour was efficient, and overall it provided an excellent introduction to Kyoto and its treasures and pleasures.
Review by Barrington D, January 2013
Doing what: Kyoto Morning Tour - Kyoto Imperial Palace, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle
The tour was very enjoyable and informative thanks mostly to Mr. Yoshitaka Harada. He was very conscious of the members of the group and made a great effort to help us understand the Japanese culture and the places that we visited. Would well recommend this tour and would love to attend more tours
Review by Norman H, October 2012
Doing what: Kyoto Morning Tour - Kyoto Imperial Palace, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle
Excellent guide. I have done this tour a few times and always enjoyed it. In addition, the guide gave me directions to go where I wanted to go after the tour ended. Very helpful!
Practical Info
The Kyoto Imperial Palace and gardens are a short walk from Imadegawa train station in Kyoto’s central northwest.
