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Walking along the Imperial Palace

The route of the tour, you can see the views of each numbered spot in the following pictures.

1. Sakuradamon Gate

2. Double Bridge is not open to public but you can see this view.

3. Tatsumi Turret, one of the three turrets restored as a part of Edo castle.

4. Ohte gate which used to be the main gate of Edo castle where you can see the original statue of Shachihoko made in Edo period.

5. Hyakunin Guardhouse where 100 Doshin and 20 Yoriki worked to guard the castle.

Tokyo Private Tour - 6. Fujimi Turret where the shoguns (Samurai leaders) enjoyed the view of Mt. Fuji in Edo Period after the main tower burned down in 1657.

6. Fujimi Turret where the shoguns (Samurai leaders) enjoyed the view of Mt. Fuji in Edo Period after the main tower burned down in 1657.

Tokyo Private Tour - 7. Base of the main tower (Donjon) where you can enjoy the nice view of the garden as well as the modern buildings of Tokyo surrounding the palace.

7. Base of the main tower (Donjon) where you can enjoy the nice view of the garden as well as the modern buildings of Tokyo surrounding the palace.

7. The view from the Base; the Main Castle was gone and became an open lawn area.

8. A Japanse garden called Ninomaru Teien which is a typical strolling type garden with a pond and trails.

9. Hirakawamon Gate where our tour ends.

Special tour in the western part (Front view of Fujimi Turret, Optional)

Special tour in the western part (Ceremony Palace, Optional)

Special tour in the western part (Fushimi Turret, Optional)

Plum flowers bloom in February.

Cherry blossoms bloom in late March to early April depending on the season.

Azalea flowers bloom in May.

Wisteria flowers bloom in May.

Iris flowers bloom in late May.

Hydrangea flowers bloom in June.

Walking along the Imperial Palace

Highlights

Joined 2014

Yuki K.

4.79 / 5

(410 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Tokyo

English

3 hours

Private tour (only you and Yuki K.)

Up to 5 people

The Imperial Palace used to be Edo Castle of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. This tour covers the Outer Garden of Imperial Palace and the East Gardens, which used to be the main part of the castle. You can see the main gate area called Niju-Bashi (double bridge), the moat of the castle surrounded by the long, long stone walls, gates, and buildings renovated 50 years ago, and a Japanese garden. I'll explain their history to make them more impressive.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad. I will contact you via WhatsApp, so please have your phone ready. We can find our phone numbers at the bottom of the itinerary two days before the tour date.

The following is an example itinerary starting at 10:00 AM. You can choose other starting time after 10:00 AM

Imperial Palace East Gardens:

URL: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/en/visit/event/higashigyoen/index.html

10:00 AM

10:00-10:30 Transportation to the Imperial Palace

Transportation: We will use public transportation.

10:30 AM: Sakuradamon Gate

Sakuradamon Gate ; In front of this gate, Naosuke Ii, who was the Tairo of Tokugawa Shogunate (corresponding to a prime minister) was assassinated at the end of Edo Period which weakened the Shogunate and even being terminated.

10:45 AM: Double Bridge area

Double Bridge area; You can see the Stone Bridge, which is the entrance of the Imperial Palace, with the view of the Double Bridge and Fushimi Turret.

11:00 AM: The Tatsumi Turret

The Tatsumi Turret; This is a two story defense house of the castle. You can enjoy the view of the old Edo castle at the end of the Samurai period in 19th century, which is often used in movies or TV dramas on this period.

11:15 AM: Ohte-Mon Gate

Ohte-Mon Gate; This gate was the main gate of Edo castle, which consists of two doors and the square area called Masugata, typical defense system. There is an original statue of Shachihoko made in Edo period.

11:30 AM: Doshin-Bansho guard house and Hyakunin guard house

Doshin-Bansho guard house and Hyakunin guard house; These guard houses were used to inspect visiting local lords and guard the castle.

11:45 AM: Nakano-Mon Gate

Nakano-Mon Gate; In this area, you can see many types of stone walls, including a sample of the stone as heavy as 35 tons.

12:00 PM: Honmaru

Honmaru; Open area with a lawn which used to be the main part of Edo castle with many conference rooms and Shogun's private area, and a harem of his concubines.

12:15 PM: Stone base of the Donjon

Stone base of the Donjon; There used to a five story tower on this stone base. The last tower was burned out in 1657 and never rebuilt again. You can walk up to the base and enjoy a good view of the garden surrounded by modern buildings of Tokyo.

12:30 PM: Ninomaru-teien Garden

Ninomaru-teien Garden; A typical strolling type Japanese garden with a pond and trails. This garden was renovated base on the picture of the garden in Edo period.

13:00 PM: at Takebashi station

End of the tour

Optional (12:30-15:00) : Inside of the western part of the Imperial Palace

Optional with additional fee of 10,000 JPY: We can enter inside of the western part of the Imperial Palace by attending the special tour provided by the Ministry. You need a passport and to fill out a form to attend this tour. The number of its participants is limited by 300 persons per time, but I can help you to take the special tour in the afternoon.

Ending Point

Exit of Imperial Palace

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee

Hotel pick up

Transportation cost of the guide within Tokyo

What‘s not included

Transportation cost of you

Transportation cost of the guide outside of Tokyo (if you stay outside of Tokyo such as Disneyland)

Lunch cost of you and the guide

Tour Important Information

The western part of the Imperial Palace with its Celemony Hall is not open to the public.

You can see the stone bridge and the double bridge from outside, and the view is very popular with Fushimi turret.

After the area, I will take you to the East gardens of the Imperial Palace, which is open to the public except on Monday and Friday.

If you are eager to look inside of the western part, there is a special tour conducted by the Ministry twice a day.

The number of its participants is limited by 300 persons per time, but I can help you to take the special tour in the afternoon with additional fee.

- The tour guide is not available on Monday.

- Please, send a direct message to the tour guide for confirming the availability before booking

The east garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2014

Yuki K.

4.79 / 5

(410 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yuki K.

I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015.

Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them deeper than just visiting there by yourself or a member of big group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!

Reviews

Taylor D.

5 / 5

Feb 27, 2026

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