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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Kyoto - Central Kyoto
Kyoto Imperial Palace	# 7   of 56 most visited sights in Kyoto
access  -  admission  -  hotels  -  reports  -  ratings  -  tours  -  links

The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions. The current Imperial Palace was reconstructed in 1855 after it had burnt down and moved around town repeatedly over the centuries. The complex is enclosed by long walls and consists of several gates, halls and gardens. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperors Taisho and Showa were still held in the palace's main hall, but the present Emperor's ceremony took place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The palace grounds can be entered only on guided tours (in English or Japanese) held by the Imperial Household Agency. Tours take about one hour and lead past the buildings and gardens, but none of the buildings can be entered. Advance reservations (see details below) are mandatory and can be made online or at the Imperial Agency Office, which is also located within the Kyoto Imperial Park. The Hall of State Ceremonies within the Kyoto Imperial Palace Besides the Imperial Palace and the Sento Palace grounds, a few other historic sites are located within Kyoto Imperial Park, including the Kaninnomiya Mansion, a former residence of court nobles that is open to the public in the park's southwestern corner. Not far away stands a small branch shrine of Miyajima's famous Itsukushima Shrine on a small island of a pond. The 1300 meter long and 700 meter wide park also serves as recreational space for both tourists and residents, featuring attractive, broad gravel paths, lawns and tree groves. A pretty group of weeping cherry trees stands beside Konoe Pond in the park's northwestern corner and is usually in bloom for two to three weeks from late March to mid April. People walk and cycle along the gravel paths of the Kyoto Imperial Park Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

Kyoto Imperial Palace is a ten minute subway ride from Kyoto Station along the Karasuma Subway Line. Get off at Marutamachi or Imadegawa Station. Imadegawa Station is closer to the Imperial Agency Office and the entrance gate of the Imperial Palace. How to get to and around Kyoto

Hours and Fees

Free tours of Kyoto Imperial Palace are held several times daily in English and Japanese. No tours are held on Sundays and national holidays. Most Saturdays are also unavailable. Check with the agency for an up to date schedule. To book a tour, you need to apply in advance with your passport at the Imperial Household Agency Office in the northwestern corner of Kyoto Imperial Park. Reservations are often possible for the same day. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:45 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00. Additionally, a small number of tour spots are available for reservation over the agency's website (see links below), however, these often get booked out far in advance. Online reservations must be completed several days before the intended visit. Occasionally, Kyoto Imperial Palace can be entered without advance reservation and without joining a tour. The next opportunity will be from April 4 to 8, 2012 from 9:00 to 15:30.

Hotels and Ryokan

Sponsor Hotels Japanese hotel, Ryokan Nishiyama Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto. Ryokan Hirashin 3min walk to Shijo Karasuma Sta. Spacious Japanese-style rooms. 140 years of history. Public baths renovated in 2006. Hotel Sugicho A ryokan in the center of Kyoto town. From 4000yen. 4 train stations are within walking distance. Try the Kyoto Kaiseki.

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News and Reports

December 2, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 30, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 29, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by scott November 28, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by scott November 27, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 24, 2011 Yoshiminedera and Southwest Kyoto by Rabbityama November 22, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 20, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker More reports...

Travel Community

Ratings for Kyoto Imperial Palace: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 639 users): 83/100   recommended Popularity of Kyoto Imperial Palace: Users who have been to Kyoto: 4502 Users who have been to Kyoto Imperial Palace: 1204 7th of 56 most visited sights in Kyoto. 36th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Kyoto Imperial Palace? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Tours and Packages

Kyoto Tours Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings.

English Links

Imperial Household Agency Official English website. Application for Visit English application page.

Japanese Links

Imperial Household Agency Official website. Application for Visit Japanese application page.