SeeChiyoda

Imperial Palace East Garden

Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons. During the Edo period, this was the heart of the Shogun's castle, and you can see the tenshudai, the raised platform where the tenshukaku (main keep) was once located, and an open field that was once the site of the honmaru goten, the Shogun's main residential palace. Entrance is free through a number of gates; you will be given a plastic entrance card at the gate, which you are obliged to return upon leaving; most visitors use the Ōte-mon (大手門) gate near the Ōtemachi subway station (exit C10). Also an easy walking distance from Tokyo station.

Hours: Open daily except Mondays and Fridays

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Tokyo/Chiyoda, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art
東京国立近代美術館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan
With a modest permanent collection on display and regularly changing exhibitions, MOMAT is a nice place to kill a couple of hours after you've seen the Imperial Palace across the road. Entry to the nearby Crafts Gallery is included in the price.
Tue-Thu Sat-Sun 10:30-17:00, Fri 10:30-20:00, closed Mon¥420 for adults, ¥130 for students and children under 15 free. Admission is also free on May 18, November 3 and the first Sunday of every month. Special exhibits extra
SeeChiyoda
Imperial Palace
皇居 Kōkyo
Surrounded by a series of moats and high walls, the site of the former Edo Castle has been the official residence of the Japanese imperial family since 1868. Reputedly the most expensive square kilometre in the world, which during the height of Japan's bubble was estimated to be worth slightly more than California. The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the general public except on the second day of the New Year (January 2) and the Emperor's birthday (February 23), when the imperial family makes a public appearance, and the emperor gives a speech to his assembled subjects. However, foreigners can also apply online to join a free guided tour (M-F at 10:00 and 13:30). If you're feeling lucky, you can also try just showing up at the Imperial Household Agency office located in the northwest corner of the Imperial Palace Park, which is open 09:00-12:00, 13:00-14:00; if there's space, you can join a tour on the same day. Tours are conducted only in Japanese, but electronic audio guides (in English) will be lent to foreign visitors free of charge. At the end of the tour, visitors wishing to enter the East Gardens (see next entry) will be given entrance cards and allowed through to the gardens via a private gate, allowing them to bypass the lines at the main Ōte-mon entrance; pay attention to the announcement in Japanese and queue up as directed.
EatChiyoda
Yamaya
やまや
For lunch you should get a bowl of rice with mentaiko (semi-spicy red fish eggs). Their specialty for dinner is motsunabe (tripe hotpot).
¥1000 lunch, ¥3000 dinner
SeeChiyoda
Kitanomaru Park
北の丸公園, kita-no-maru kōen
Connected to the East Gardens on the north side is this park. Offering much of the same, it is a convenient way to get to Yasukuni Shrine. The park also houses the Nippon Budōkan (日本武道館), which regularly stages martial arts competitions and live concerts, as well as the Kagaku Gijyutsukan (科学技術館, Science museum).