What other travelers are saying about Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
Beautiful and peaceful, wide open spaces with lots of greenery that will make you double-think if you're really still in Tokyo. The weather was great (late Oct) and although the autumn leaves weren't out yet, the trees and grass are lush and full of life. The huge koi fish swimming in the pond are also wonderful to look at. There is a bag check at the entrance.
Day guides that include Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
Frequently Asked Questions
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are special because they occupy the site of the former Edo Castle, the largest castle in Japan's history. They offer a tranquil retreat with beautifully manicured landscapes and a wide variety of plant species that give stunning displays of seasonal flora.
Yes, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is worth visiting. It offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Additionally, the Museum of the Imperial Collections located within the grounds showcases a rich collection of Japanese artworks and craft objects.
You can get to the Imperial Palace East Gardens by public transportation. The nearest subway stations are Otemachi, Takebashi, and Tokyo Station.
While you cannot see the main buildings of the Imperial Palace from the East Gardens, you can view remnants of the Edo Castle's defensive structures, including the moats, stone walls, entrance gates, and several guardhouses.
Admission to the Imperial Palace East Gardens is free. Visitors can explore the vast and beautifully maintained gardens, historical structures, and seasonal blooms without any charge.
Loved visiting the Imperial Palace East Garden. It’s a vast and peaceful place, perfect for a relaxing walk. Lots of different trees, nice gardens, koi ponds, and interesting old palace structures like guard houses, cellars, watch-towers, tea house. In case u want to take a break, there are rest areas equipped with vending machines too. The entry to the garden is free! Totally worth visiting... 🍃
Absolutely gorgeous garden! A lot of work has gone into preserving its historical significance and beauty, including preserving original guard barracks and the orchard. Now, the garden serves as a celebration of Japan. They’ve added various sections such as the bamboo garden with different bamboos found across the country and a tree garden with one tree from every province. The landscaping is impressive—they’ve maintained the original walls and moats—and they’ve done their best to make the gardens accessible to all ages.
No fee or ticket needed for entry, just a bag check at the entrances. Reading other reviews, it’s worth noting there is no palace here anymore, nor is the palace really visible. This is just the East Garden adjacent the current Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are beautiful, even on cloudy days. I enjoyed seeing seasonal fruit trees like persimmons and citrus. The gardens are modern but designed based on the Edo-period layout on the former castle site. The guided Imperial Palace tour pairs well with a visit.
Beautiful grounds - a lovely, green sanctuary within the busyness of the city. It seems very well maintained. I appreciated the informative signs, and labels for the trees. A really nice way to spend a sunny afternoon!
