Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tokyo, Japan
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
While it’s certainly possible to explore Edo Castle and the Imperial Palace on your own, a guided tour will help you learn much more about each landmark’s historical significance. On this walking tour, discover 2,600 years of Japanese history as you learn about the Emperors that shaped the country, samurai, and the shoguns.
- A chance to relax in the castle’s traditional Japanese garden
- Walking tours help you spot details you’d otherwise miss
- A great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs at the palace gift shop
- Your guide will point out the best spots for photos of the castle and palace
What's Included
- Guided walking tour
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Starbucks Coffee - Kokyo Gaien Wadakura Fountain Park3-1 Kōkyogaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0002, Japan
Meet in front of Starbucks Coffee Kōkyo Gaien Wadakura Fountain Park Store. There will be a guide holding a sign that says "Local Guide Stars" Address: 3-1 Kōkyo Gaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo https://maps.app.goo.gl/Caab3X6fhK6yaU4QA
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Kokyo Otemon Gate
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Constable Guardhouse
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Obansho Guardhouse
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Fujimi-yagura
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Kokyo Sannomaru Shozokan
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Ninomaru Garden
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tokyo Central Railway Station (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- There is a security check to enter the Imperial Palace. Please do not bring knives or alcohol.
- The Emperor's residence is not open to the public.
- There are no health restrictions, but please note that you will need to walk up steep slopes and stairs.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Holly_M
I would highly recommend this walking tour for learning about the Imperial Palace. It was the perfect length and experience! Our tour guide, K, was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. He taught us so much about the imperial history and Japanese.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,078 reviews
Susan_K, Apr 2026
It was somewhat informative
Language was somewhat of a barrier
Description was somewhat misleading
Was under the assumption that we’d see more of the palace
Gillian_N, Apr 2026
A lot of slow pace walking. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Tokyo. The afternoon is quite compared to morning queues
Adrian_R, Apr 2026
We went on a morning walking tour of the Imperial Palace gardens. It is not possible to visit the palace itself. Shin was our guide. She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and explained the history the gardens. It was a very enjoyable morning.
AmirH_F, Apr 2026
There is no real palace. It got destroyed by a fire and was not got rebuilt. Don’t waste your time, The tour guide said this at the end,
Pamela_G, Apr 2026
Very convenient and punctual and our tour guide ( Tomo) was exceptional with so much excellent information to share
Eddy_C, Apr 2026
May was very knowledgeable and had answers to all of the questions we threw her way. Was paced well. Took 2 hours from start to finish with a break in the middle to use the bathroom or buy a drink. Did not feel rushed and was very enjoyable. Will note the tour is around the east garden which is the only area accessible to tourists (for the most part). Was more than enough
Cengiz_S, Mar 2026
Excellent tour! The guide was bursting with historical and local facts and knowledge! Really enjoyed the tour. Recommend it
Jacob_H, Mar 2026
Helen was a great host, very informative and the pictures were great. Would book a tour with her again!
Katrina_Z, Mar 2026
Very interesting and informative tour. Mei was our guide and she provided a lot of insight, historical facts and explanations. The your is about 2 hours, but we’ve covered a lot.
rosa, Feb 2026
Nothing beats a good explainer to “get” a place. We would never have understood this visit on our own.
Robert_P, Feb 2026
Some fairly steep uphill and downhill walks. Learned a lot about Shotgun. Clean well kept up venue. Enjoyed this tour.
Colin_A, Jan 2026
Short and sweet walking tour of some of the gates, historic buildings and outer garden. Our tour guide, Ai, was professional and knowledgeable and provided engaging commentary on each of the attractions. A fun time with plenty of opportunities for good photos
Mike_S, Jan 2026
AI was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide of the palace grounds. Great history and beautiful gardens.
Anand_S, Dec 2025
Tomo was excellent - so knowledgable & so accomodating. Gave us the best tour & an amazing personality. We definitely recommend this tour with Tomo for anyone wanting to take a walk-by tour of the Imperial Palace Grounds.
Sydney_P, Dec 2025
Anju gave us a wonderful and insightful tour. It was beautiful and enjoyable and educational! Loved learning the history and seeing the gorgeous sights.
Jennifer_W, Nov 2025
Our guide Keiko was fabulous! Full of interesting stories about the history of Edo and the Imperial palace and shoguns. She even carried laminated pictures of past hounds layouts and guard towers and even the Royal family. Learned so much! And she made it fun. Highly recommend this tour and Keiko!
Rebecca_M, Nov 2025
The tour itself was very interesting but what made it special was our guide! We had a really good time and laughed a lot, he was really into it. You could tell he‘s very interested in the history and gave you the spark to feel it too. On top we got insider tips for foods.
I’d definitely say, I‘ll have my eyes and ears open about Japanese imperial history and culture in the future.
Thanks from Austria!
Da_M, Nov 2025
This was an amazing tour. I highly recommend. Our guide (K) was excellent. He was insightful, funny and passionate. He had detailed information on each location, the history of Japan, the royal family and the city.
Melisa_T, Nov 2025
This is a lovely, 2hr walking tour explaining the history of the palace grounds as well as some Edo period history. The tour guides were lovely and knowledgeable.
mark_m, Nov 2025
Nana I did a great job explaining history to our family. Answered all our questions, very patient, extra time.
Rachel_S, Oct 2025
Yuuko was great tour guide. He was very informative and took all of our questions. Highly recommend.
Stefanie_H, Oct 2025
Keiko was a great tour guide through the surrounding imperial palace grounds with lots of interesting facts and history lessons. Even had pictures to show us on flashcards to make things very interactive. Definitely recommend!
Lisa_G, Oct 2025
We enjoyed this walking tour of the Imperial Palace and Gardens. Yuuki was an excellent guide and helped to solidify our understanding of the Shogun era in Japan’s history.
michael_t, Oct 2025
Shin provided an excellent history of the Imperial grounds and the Edo period. He answered all of our questions with ease.
Kathleen_B, Sep 2025
Very disappointed
you really don’t need a guide to tour the garden.
Our guy did not even speak English very well
We left the tour
Nicky_F, Sep 2025
Very good walking tour and very informative. Our guide Dai, had done a lot of research and explained things well. Loved the pond area and beautiful trees.
Edward_S, Sep 2025
Our tour guide Shin was the absolute best you could ask for. He was knowledgeable in the history of the imperial palace as well as Japanese history and he even helped me sign on to his tour group at the last minute when the guide for the tour I was supposed to go on didn’t show up. He was very helpful throughout and gave the best tour one could ask for.
ksnwmjtqbj, Aug 2025
Our guide was a lovely lady she was knowledgable and friendly. It was an extremely hot day and she kept on giving us sweets and menthol napkins to make us endure the two hour tour of the castle and garden and this worked.
Maryallys_F, Aug 2025
Well worth a tour to understand the history of Tokyo! The park is beautiful, but without a formal tour you would not appreciate the grounds.
ben_n, Aug 2025
K did a great job explaining how the castle was built and all of its features. I would definitely recommend visitors to Tokyo check out this beautiful park in the heart of Tokyo.
From $23.44
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour
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