Tokyo Imperial Palace Tours and Tickets

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

• 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

• Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

• Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour

• Tokyo Customized Private Tour (Must-See Places in 1 Day)

• Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

While it’s free to visit the gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, many travelers choose to visit with a guide to learn more about the historic gardens and see the remains of Edo Castle. Tours offered by the Imperial Household Agency are free but limited; however, you can also book guided walking tours of the Imperial Palace East Gardens from US$21 or self-guided audio tours of Tokyo from US$4.

Yes, the Imperial Palace is the official home of Japan's Imperial family, and was built on the site of the original Edo Castle. Visiting certain areas of the palace is possible on guided tours, which can be booked in advance via the Imperial Household Agency—tours are limited and can fill up quickly. Consider a guided tour of the gardens instead to uncover the centuries of history hidden within their walls.

Per one customer who booked the Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour, "We had an absolutely amazing time with Tony. He shared a lot of rich context about Tokyo's history, the Edo period, the Shogunate, the Emperor, and the imperial family, which made the experience incredibly meaningful. Visiting the Imperial Palace with this background brought everything to life. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and would highly recommend this tour."

Yes, there are tours of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Visitors can see the complex’s sprawling grounds throughout the year, with tours offered multiple times a day on select days. Because it is still an imperial residence, the inner grounds of the palace are usually off-limits, and most buildings are not entered.

Tours of the Tokyo Imperial Palace typically last for a little over an hour—because the place is home to the Emperor of Japan, the public can only visit select areas of its grounds. Tours are offered several times daily on visiting days and can be combined with other Tokyo sightseeing stops.

The vast Tokyo Imperial Palace complex includes parks and gardens, several buildings (including the Emperor of Japan’s official residence and other areas that the imperial family uses), museums, moats, and the iconic Nijubashi Bridge. Much of the palace complex is off-limits, but the East Gardens are well worth discovering.

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is one of Tokyo’s—and Japan’s—most famous landmarks. Home to Japan’s Emperors since 1868, the palace complex stands on the site of the former Edo-jō palace, and its foundations can still be seen. It’s also worth exploring the complex’s lush gardens and several museums.

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

• Tokyo Tower

• Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple)

• Shibuya

• Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)

• Akihabara

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