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The Imperial East Garden is part of the Imperial Palace but it stands outside of the modern residence and is open to visitors without reservation. The park features gardens and ruins from Edo Castle which was home to the Tokugawa shogunate from the 17th century to the 19th century. The Emperor also lived here temporarily before the Imperial Palace was built nearby.
In the center stands the walls from the castles donjon which burned down and was never rebuilt. From atop the ruins, there is a great view over the expansive lawn in front and the skyscrapers in the distance. There is a concert hall, museum of Imperial artifacts/objects, and guardhouses within the grounds as well as a plum grove and other gardens. It's a pretty place to walk around and entrance is free so it's worth it as part of a visit to the Imperial Palace.
Hours vary by season and the Imperial East Garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays as well as New Years.
Written Jan 25, 2012
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Phone: 033-213-1111
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
Covering the eastern part of the Imperial palace grounds the eastern gardens is well worth a visit. Admission price is FREE so take some time to walk around and if your here at the right time to see the cherry blossoms... we took our time and it we were there about 2 hours... it's a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon
Written Apr 30, 2010
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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If you are looking for peace, quiet and a quintessential Japanese garden experience, then head straight for the center of Tokyo, where the Imperial palace Gardens look to shoeld you from all the urban bustle. One of the city's great lungs, the Imperial Palace Gardens offer plum blossoms (if you're there in the spring), open fields and a peaceful Japanese koi pond surrounded by blooming bushes. It's free, so you'll see lots of locals escaping to relax in the calm.
One intersting note is that the Imperial Palace Garden has a tree representing all of Japan's prefectures. That's amazing, given the vast north-to-south expanse covered by Japan. But you can see cyclide from Okinawa along side some type of tree from Hokkaido (forgive me: not a botanist!).
Written Aug 15, 2009
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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The Otemon gate was destroyed in 1945 and reconstructed in 1968. Historically Otemon gate was important gate and was used by the noblemen presenting themselves to the Shogun. Today the Otemon gate is still important as it is still use as the main gate to enter East Garden.
Written Jun 8, 2009
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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The East Gardens is next and part of the Imperial Palace and open to public. Historically it was the former site of defensive circle and the shogun's castle of Edo who later became the Imperial Palace.
Today the East Gardens is more like a large park painted with beautiful traditional Japanese gardens, a small forest, ceremony tea house, stone remnants of Edo Castle and three historical gates the Otemon, Hirakawamon and Kitahanebashimon. We entered from Otemon gates. The garden consists of ponds with bridges and waterfalls, Japanese carps swimming under the water lilies, well cut hedges surrounded by colourful flowers, well pruned pine trees and cherry blossoms. In the Ninomaru Garden is Suwa no chaya teahouse. The East Gardens is a nice location for a walk or to relax and enjoy the surrounding.
Business Hours 9:00am-4:30pm; Closed Mon & Fri
Price Admission: FREE
Written Jun 8, 2009
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Phone: 03-3213-1111
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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Take a stroll in this beautiful garden which was part of the Emperor’s private garden. The Palace is bordered by huge concrete walls. We have to walk quite deep in to see the palace. The guards were standing guard at the gate. This was the furthest we could reach and many gathered here to take a picture.
The palace is an ideal place for joggers and cyclist. We see a lot of people exercising under the hot sun.
Bicycles are rented out for free. You may wish to cycle around to see the vast Imperial Garden. There are lots of pine tress that are planted. The Tokyo Tower can be seen from the garden.
Written Aug 12, 2008
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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The Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.
Edo was once the castle of the Tokugawa shogun, who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogun was deposed, the shogunate finished and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 the construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. It has been destroyed during World War Two, but rebuilt in the same style.
The palace and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.
Written Apr 26, 2008
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Phone: 075-211-1215
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
We visited the Outer Imperial Gardens on our morning tour. The imperial palace is protected by two moats. The moats have survived ww2 and the great Kanto earthquake. It is a beautiful peaceful place and we definitely could not see the imperial palace from where we were.
Written Apr 22, 2008
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
There is something about a Japanese garden that is… well… relaxing. I am not a garden person and I don’t care about flowers. Yet I spent hours walking and sitting in the Imperial Palace Gardens. Maybe it was just because I was exhausted. It was the end of my trip and the press of street chaos had taken its toll.
Wait until the city is starting to feel oppressive. Let the noise and the fumes and deluge of people exhaust you. Then find the gardens. Pick a quiet spot and listen to the trickle of water.
You may find peace.
Written Sep 22, 2007
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
Helpfulness
The Imperial Palace is private so you can't get to see it. In front of the two bridges leading to the Imperial Palace Garden are the closest you can get. There are some volunteer helpers cleaning the Garden and they do this so as to see a glimpse of the Imperial family who - so I was told - as a reward then come to a balcony and wave at the volunteers. There is a long waiting list to get to be a volunteer helper.
In addition to this, there are just two days annually when the Garden is open to public, but I forget which days they were. Probably the Emperor's birthday or something and the New Year. There were two swans gliding gracefully on the water.
Written Apr 22, 2007
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku
Website: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/
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Write a ReviewThe Imperial Palace is private so you can't get to see it. In front of the two bridges leading to the Imperial Palace Garden are the closest you can get. There...
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