Tokyo Castle, Imperial Palace, Shogun & Garden Walking Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tokyo, Japan
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Exploring Tokyo’s Imperial Palace can be overwhelming without extensive research, but this guided tour simplifies everything. Enjoy a relaxed stroll through stunning gardens, discover the palace's rich history, and get insider tips on the best photo spots. With a guide leading the way, you can effortlessly immerse yourself in Japan’s cultural and historical treasures.
- Explore the grounds of the Imperial Palace with a guide
- Group size, with a limit of just Fifteen travelers
- Learn fascinating insights about Japan’s history
- Benefit from having someone to lead the way so you don’t get lost
What's Included
- Guided walking tour of the Imperial Palace grounds with a friendly local guide
- Small group for a more exclusive experience
- Visit to Ōtemon Gate, guardhouse ruins and Ninomaru Garden
- Stories from guide about Edo history, samurai era and modern Tokyo
- We know the best photo spots (just ask your guide)
- No dress code, tattoos welcome
- Learn Japan’s history while having fun!
- Access to the Inner Palace (note: not open to the public)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Starbucks Coffee - Kokyo Gaien Wadakura Fountain Park3-1 Kōkyogaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0002, Japan
Take the train to Tokyo station, from there it is only a 5-10 minute walk to the Wadakuramon fountain park. In the park, head to the Starbucks where your guide will be waiting for you. The guide will be holding a sign with "Sunrise Adventure´s" logo :)
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Wadakura Fountain Park (Pass By)
Wadakuramon (Pass By)
Remains of Wadakuramon Gate Guardhouse (Pass By)
Crown Prince Marriage Monument (Pass By)
Imperial Palace (Pass By)
Kokyo Gaien National Garden (Pass By)
Kokyo Otemon Gate (Pass By)
Kokyo Sannomaru Shozokan (Pass By)
Ninomaru Garden (Pass By)
Kokyo Sannomaru Shozokan (Pass By)
Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse (Pass By)
Chiyoda (Pass By)
Tokyo (Pass By)
Tayasumon Yagura (Pass By)
Kikyo Gate (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 339 reviews
Daniel_D, May 2026
We had Shin for our tour guide and he was fantastic. He gave us all the history related to the imperial palace making everything we saw more impressive. I would recommend booking this tour.
William_Z, May 2026
Great historical background and explanation of history of Japan. Tour guide very knowledgeable. Very beautiful area. Tour was time well spent.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you much for this amazing review! We are so glad you had such a great time! :)
Robert_S, May 2026
What an excellent, history-rich introduction to the Tokyo Castle, Imperial Palace, Shogun, and Garden Walking Tour! Our guide was incredibly informative and knowledgeable about the architecture and history, particularly focusing on the Edo Era. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and gained valuable insights into the history of the castle and the overall history of Japan and its imperial structure and the beautiful imperial garden. She also offered recommendations on what to do and experience in Tokyo. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, May 2026
We’re so happy you enjoyed the tour and all the history around the Imperial Palace and Edo period. It’s great to hear the insights and recommendations made your experience even more special. :)
Thanks again for the recommendation, and hope to see you again soon!
AMIT_B, May 2026
The tour is good, our guide Faye was great, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The grounds are very beautiful. The only thing is that it might have been better in spring with flowers blooming. Overall we enjoyed and recommend it.
Response from Host, May 2026
We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the tour with Fei and appreciated her friendly and knowledgeable guiding!
And you’re absolutely right, the gardens are especially beautiful in spring but we’re glad you still had a great time. :)
Thank you for the recommendation and hope to see you again soon!
William_B, Apr 2026
Jim made this tour exceptional with his extensive knowledge and deep understanding of history. We learned so much about Japan and truly appreciated the way he presented everything—it was clear, engaging, and easy to follow.
Without him, we wouldn’t have fully understood what we were seeing. If you want to actually learn the history behind the sites, this tour is absolutely worth it.
Highly recommend—and definitely ask for Jim. He’s a great guide.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review :)
We’re truly touched by your kind words, and we’re so happy to hear that you had such a meaningful experience with Jim. His passion for history and the way he brings it to life really make a difference, so it means a lot to know it resonated with you.
We’ll be sure to pass along your message to him, he’ll be delighted :)
It was a real pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you again for another great experience in Japan!
Sharon_J, Apr 2026
Very knowledgeable guide. Beautiful surroundings. Tranquil walking tour. A quiet space in the middle of a lively city.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much :)
We’re really happy you enjoyed the guide and the peaceful surroundings. It’s great to hear the tour felt like a calm escape in the middle of the city !
Dianne_M, Apr 2026
Wonderful history, leisurely pace and lovely back and forth with tour group. Highly recommend as start to ur trip
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much! :)
We’re so glad you enjoyed the history, the pace, and the group interaction. That’s exactly the kind of experience we hope to provide, so happy it was a great start to your trip!
Pat_B, Apr 2026
Google maps and iPhone maps a must! Meet up instructions were clear but a couple of tips...you are heading to the west side gate...look for Marunouchi side toward imperial palace. You cross the small bridge into the palace area and yes, there is Starbuck's in there. Shin was our guide and met us outside and took the time to get to know us before we started. He is a great guide, knowledgeable, personalable and worked with everyone in the group. He went above and beyond to keep us between the rain and made sure we saw the sights, including cherry blossoms. One of the top guides we have had. Thanks!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful feedback! :)
We’re truly thrilled to hear you had such a great experience with Shin and that he could make the tour personal and enjoyable, even with the rain. It’s also amazing that you added those extra tips for future guests, super helpful! Your kind words really mean a lot to us and make us so happy!
Greg_B, Mar 2026
Amazing gardens & history. Cherry blossoms at the moment are incredible. The guide had a wide knowledge of the palace
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words :)
We’re really happy you enjoyed the gardens, the cherry blossoms, and the guide’s knowledge. And next time, we’ll do our best to earn that 5th star from you ;)
Annie_B, Mar 2026
Our walking tour of the Imperial Palace (Tokyo) was wonderful. Our amazing tour guide, Mayu, shared historical and current facts with us. She was very informative. She took her time to answer questions our group had regarding the palace. We give her a 10 !
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great time exploring the Imperial Palace with Mayu. It’s lovely to know you enjoyed her insights and that she made the experience both informative and engaging.
We’ll be sure to share your “10” with her, she’ll be absolutely delighted! :)
Christopher_H, Mar 2026
Mayu was a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide. She was very approachable and welcoming of our questions. Her English is excellent!! Tour was well paced and the Palace grounds are well maintained and beautiful. I hope to see it again one day when later into spring with everything blooming.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour with Mayu and appreciated her knowledge and warm approach. We hope you’ll come back to see the gardens in full bloom next time 🌸
Mena, Mar 2026
Alex was great!! Very knowledgeable!! Loved it!! I would recommend this tour as the gardens were amazing! Buildings were impressive.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you!!!! We’re so happy to hear you had such a great time with Alex and enjoyed the beauty of the gardens and the impressive buildings. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us! :)
Sundeep_S, Mar 2026
Nico was absolutely fantastic. He was engaging, interesting anecdotes and not at all rushed. Incredibly knowledgeable and made the history of Tokyo really come to life. I would strongly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Your review means a lot to us! Thank you so much, we are so glad you had so much fun exploring the Imperial Palace gardens while learning more about Japan with Nico! :)
Mark_H, Mar 2026
Alexander was fantastic! Provide such great information Japanese history to put everything in perspective. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, your feedback truly means a lot to us! We wish you an amazing stay in Japan! :)
karen_m, Mar 2026
The guide provides a complete history of the samurai, shoguns and royal family. He is fluent in English, and it is an easy going tout
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for this amazing feedback!
arnold_N, Mar 2026
Great history tour. The place was beautiful and the garden was peaceful and zen like. Nikko was fantastic.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, we are so glad you had such a great time :)
Alya_P, Feb 2026
Loved our guide and learned so much history about the place. The tour definitely made me appreciate the place a lot more!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for this lovely review! It means a lot to us :)
Thomas_B, Jan 2026
The tour was excellent. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and had great answers to many of our questions. The only hesitation I have is that there just isn't much to see, because they never rebuilt after it was destroyed. So while an excellent tour, perhaps not a top priority for your first time in tokyo
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and that your guide’s knowledge and thoughtful answers made it a great experience. We also appreciate your honest perspective about the site itself. It’s true that its value lies more in the history and context than in what can be physically seen today. Your feedback is very helpful, and we’re grateful you joined us!
Yvette_W, Jan 2026
Mika was our wonderful and pleasant tour guide for the morning tour. She was engaging and kept the interest of my 11, 13, and 15 year old boys with a lot of Japanese historical references. We learned a lot while exploring the beautiful grounds. She took good family photos and recommended a delicious local soba spot for lunch. It was a memorable morning to end our Japan trip.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re really happy to hear you and your boys enjoyed the tour with Mika. She’ll be so glad to know she helped make your last morning in Japan special. Wishing you a great journey home, and hopefully we’ll see you again one day!
Jordan_S, Nov 2025
We had a great time on this tour with our guide, Natsumi. She was so lovely and provided so much information about the palace and the related history. We definitely got more out of this experience because of her than had we just walked around by ourselves. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Your feedback is really amazing! Thanks a lot for taking the time to share your experience! Thank you for the recommendation too! :)
Peace_S, Oct 2025
Our guide Natsume was very knowledgeable about edo period history and led us through the absolutely stunning imperial gardens. She was also kind enough to share her knowledge of local restaurants and shrines. Very good tour that I would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your feedback and recommandation! This is so nice that Natsumi could share her tips in addition to the tour! We wish you a wonderful stay in Japan !
Susan_L, Oct 2025
Very educational and a pace that allowed for questions and pictures. Guide was excellent and easy to understand. Most tours do not include entrance to the actual palace grounds- this tour does and it’s definitely worth it.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Susan, your feedback means a lot, and we’re so glad it made your visit memorable! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Michael_H, Oct 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed the stroll around The Imperial Gardens. Nico, our guide was very knowledgeable. The gardens were lush & green & the koi were beautiful. Without Nico’s knowledge, we would have been oblivious to the history & meaning of the site. Thank you Nico for the great morning.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌿We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your walk through the Imperial Gardens with Nicolas. His passion for Japanese history and his way of bringing every detail to life make each visit truly special. The gardens are such a peaceful spot, and yes, the koi are always a highlight! Thanks again !
Susan_T, Oct 2025
Nicola did an exceptional job sharing info about the eras and palace gardens and palace grounds. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Susan, thank you so much for this great feedback and your recommandation! We are so glad you enjoyed the tour with Nicolas <3
asintas, Aug 2025
Lakki was a great guide with incredible knowledge of history and the palace. Great experience and we learned and saw a lot!
Scott_F, Jul 2025
Good tour off the east side of the imperial palace grounds. For those not familiar with the palace the place is huge (so walking in the summer heat or cold are not recommened for the unprepared) and split into east and west sides AND the private residence of the emperor and his family are not open to the public. So taking that into account and your want tp learn about Japanese and the palace's history this is a good 2 hour+ walking tour through the grounds and gardens. You'll see both original and reconstructed structures and get a sense of the long and impressive history of Japan. Our guide Lakki was awesome too. He went the extra mile from greating us via Whats App before the tour, tips to prepare for the hot day, extra videos and information before and after the tour, friendly personality and very knowledgable. He provide the extra context needed to understand what we were seeing to leading us to great spots for pictures and taking group pictures for those that don't like doing selfies. Overall a good experience and I recommend this tour as a way to see the east side highlight of the palace. 2 hours was a good length especially given the summer heat and Lakki also new good spots to cool off or stay in the shade. I asked him what's the best time to visit and he said it depends, Summer is hot but its also the least crowded and it can get very crowded with long lines at the gates when its cooler. If you can manage the heat (bring an umbrella and good fan) its nicer to have the place to yourselves.
Birgitte_A, Jun 2025
Excellent tour through the east Imperial Garden. Our wonderful guide Natsumi explained the Japanese history of the Edo era and how the Shoguns and Emperors influenced modern Japan. She tied this in with the past use of the property. She brought photos and diagrams to illustrate imperial lineage and architectural details which were useful in understanding various aspects of what we were seeing. She was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions and could provide interesting detail about the background of historical events. She really brought the past to life for us.
She also spoke beautiful English and at the end of the tour provided us with recommendations for other things we should look into during our trip to Japan. She made the tour very special.
Bernard_L, Jun 2025
Very nice gardens! Also some practical information about castle defenses if you think you'll be under siege someday.
Julianna_L, Jun 2025
We had an excellent historical tour of rhe imperial palace grounds. Mika our guide shared images and maps to help us understand what we were seeing along to better understand the historical significance.
Anonymous, May 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided important historical context that helped us visualize and understand better everything we were visiting. Touring the palace grounds with a guide makes all the difference; otherwise, you might be a little disappointed because most of the structures have been destroyed.
From $38.88
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Tokyo Castle, Imperial Palace, Shogun & Garden Walking Tour
338
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$38.88
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Half-day Tours
- Walking Tours
- Historical Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- On the Ground
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Cultural Tours
- Tokyo
- Half-day Tours - Musashino
- Walking Tours - Musashino
- Half-day Tours - Kawasaki
- Walking Tours - Kawasaki
- Historical Tours - Kawasaki
- Half-day Tours - Yokohama
- Walking Tours - Yokohama
- Historical Tours - Yokohama
Attractions in Tokyo, Japan
- Tsukishima Monja Street Tours & Tickets
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Tours & Tickets
- Cat Street Tokyo Tours & Tickets
- Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Tours & Tickets
- Aokigahara Forest Tours & Tickets
- Roppongi Tours & Tickets
- Yasukuni Shrine (Yasukuni Jinja) Tours & Tickets
- Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple) Tours & Tickets
- Tokyo Skytree Tours & Tickets
- Kappabashi (Kitchen Town) Tours & Tickets
- National Diet Building Tours & Tickets
- teamLab Planets TOKYO Tours & Tickets
- Tokyo Solamachi Tours & Tickets