Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

• Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch

• Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

• Full-Day Biking Tour Exploring the Best of Kyoto

• Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 Persons)

Admission to the Kyoto Imperial Palace is free—ideal in a city that can otherwise be quite expensive. Free guided tours of the grounds (but not the interior) are held in English twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon; more guided tours are offered in Japanese and Chinese. You don’t need to pre-register for tours—and you don’t even need to join a tour to enter—but you will need to go through a security check.

Yes, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is definitely worth visiting. It's a great place to learn more about the history of Kyoto and Japan, as it was the home to the Japanese emperor until the capital was moved to Tokyo. You can join a free guided tour in English, Japanese, or Chinese, or wander the grounds independently. Some guided tours of Kyoto spend time here.

Per one customer who booked the Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide, "Excellent tailor-made tour. With consultation direct with our guide we'd chosen three places from his list of recommendations. All were delightful. With his excellent knowledge of history, Japanese customs, religion and culture he brought the Imperial Palace, Nijyo-Jo Castle and Fushimi Inari Shrine to life for us. He also did a great job of escorting us between these sites using the public transport system. A memorable day in Kyoto—thank you Kazu!"

Some of the main attractions in Putrajaya include Putrajaya Lake (a popular spot for fishing and water sports) and Perdana Putra (which houses the Prime Minister of Malaysia's office). Religious buildings include Puta Mosque, the city's main house of worship, and the Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (Masjid Besi).

Putrajaya is south of Kuala Lumpur, about a half-hour drive from the city (depending on traffic). You can also take KLIA Transit from Putrajaya Sentral to KL Sentral in around 20 minutes. Tours from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya are particularly convenient and typically include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Yes, there are lots of dining options in Putrajaya. Here, you'll find everything from street food vendors to upscale restaurants serving cuisine worldwide. Head to the Masjid Putra area for street food, or go to Prsint15 to try Chinese halal fare at Mohd Chan.

Yes, guided tours of Putrajaya are available. Tours typically depart from Kuala Lumpur and last a few hours to a full day. Some tours include a boat ride on Putrajaya Lake. Many tours to Putrajaya also involve visiting the UNESCO-listed Batu Caves north of central Kuala Lumpur.

Sort of. While you can wear whatever you want to Putrajaya, you must follow specific rules for visiting many of its attractions. The Perdana Putra requires victors to wear smart attire (collared shirts for men and modest clothes for women), while mosques expect you to remove your shoes and cover up before entering.

The best time of year to visit Putrajaya is between April and October, outside the rainy season when you're less likely to get caught in a downpour. However, remember that Putrajaya is muggy year-round, so dress accordingly. Note that pollution is often at its worst from June until August.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Kyoto:

• Arashiyama Park

• Chion-in

• Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha)

• Gion Corner

• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Kyoto.