Imperial Palace, Tokyo

Should travelers to Tokyo visit Imperial Palace?
I liked the tour of Imperial Palace. If you are traveling on your own and if you are making a special trip to view Nijubashi, I would advise to save it to last and go there if you have time. The bridge and the East Garden are the only two area you can see and enjoy without the tour.

Imperial Palace:
Tours are offered for free on weekdays at 10 am and 1:30 pm. You need to make a reservation in advance to join the tour.

To see what the tour will cover, please click on the map at the following URL and find information of each viewing points covered during the tour.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/institution_kokyo.html

Multilingual recorded guide systems are available during the tour. The guide, who is also an on site security guard, will let you know which number to listen to at each spot.

The tour takes a bit over one hour. During the summer, make sure to buy lots of bottles of water before the tour. You are requested to stay with the group at all times.

About Imperial Palace
Please visit The Imperial Household Agency Web site to see how to book a tour in advance.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html

Schedule of the available tour can be found here.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/sankan/servlet/recept/initCourse

East Gardens:

About East Gardens

Nice park to take a break and picnic if the weather is nice.

Closed on Mondays, Fridays, the Emperor's Birthday on December 23 and from December 28 to January 3 of the following year.

Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm