Visit the East Garden of Japan’s Imperial Palace with a native English-speaking guide who has spent more than 40 years in Japan and studied its history and culture. Learn how Japan’s unique culture has shaped its history over the past 600 years.
Tour highlights:
- Learn about Japanese culture and history with an experienced native English-speaking guide, who provides expert context.
- Ninomaru Garden—A traditional Japanese garden featuring seasonal flowering plants and trees: cherry blossoms in spring, summer irises and crepe myrtles, and autumn foliage.
- Edo Castle Ruins—Ancient stone walls, moats and the massive foundation of Japan’s largest central keep.
- Ōtemon Gate—One of Edo Castle’s original 26 watchtower gates, the outer gate frames a view of Tokyo’s business district, while demonstrating a principle feature of Japanese castle design
Note: This tour does not visit the Emperor’s residence.
What’s included
- tour guide
What’s not included
- Gratuities
- Admission to the Inner Palace
- Public transportation
What to expect
Stop At: Imperial Palace, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda 100-8111 Tokyo Prefecture
Tour the Imperial Palace East Garden with its wide variety of greenery, on the spot where shoguns ruled Japan and created the foundations of today’s modern state. Visit a special Japanese garden, and view the massive stone walls of feudal Japan’s greatest fortress.
PLEASE NOTE: Visitors to the Imperial Palace are subject to a baggage inspection. Knives, alcohol, drones, cigarette lighters and matches may not be brought into the East Garden.
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting and pickup
Start: Wadakura Fountain National Park, 3-1 Kōkyogaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0002, Japan
Near the Starbucks–three minutes from Otemachi subway station exit D2, or 10 minutes from Tokyo station Marunouchi north exit.
End: This activity ends within the East Garden, close by the
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible–with some assistance
- Near public transportation
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- The tour does not go inside the Imperial Palace.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Cancellation policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, payment will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cutoff times are based on local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
