General information:
Getting there:
Subway station Tokyo
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace (1888) is located on the former
site of Edo Castle. As the name suggests, is it the
residence of the Imperial Family. The Imperial
Palace is surrounded by a park, which is open for
public.
Edo Castle was the residence of the Tokugawa
shogun, who ruled Japan from 1603-1867. In 1868
the Emperor was restored and moved from Kyoto
to Tokyo. The palace was destroyed by air raids
during WOII but was rebuilt in its original style after
the WOII.
Visitors are able to view from the Kokyo Gaien
(large square in front of the Imperial Palace) the
two bridges (Nijubashi) that lead to the entrance to
the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge is called
Meganebashi (which means glasses bridge). The
bridge in the back is named Nijubashi (which
means double bridge).
The inner palace grounds are not open to the
public, only on January 2 and December 23
(birthday of Emperor) visitors are allowed to enter
the inner palace ground and see the members of
the Imperial Family standing on the balcony.
Although it is possible to make a reservation
beforehand for a guided tour. The reservation must
be made at the Imperial Household Agency. During
the tour no buildings will be entered. The tours are
held in Japanese, with the possibility of an English
audio guide.