Sento Imperial Palace
Sento Imperial Palace (å“´ŒäŠ, Sentō Gosho) is a secondary palace complex across from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in Kyoto Imperial Park. It was built in 1630 as the retirement palace of Emperor Gomizuno and became the palace for subsequent retired emperors.
The original palace buildings burned down in 1854 and were not rebuilt. Instead, Omiya Palace was constructed on the Sento grounds in 1867 and now serves as the lodging place for the current prince and princess during their visits to Kyoto.
Visiting Sento Imperial Palace requires joining a free tour by the Imperial Household Agency. The tour leads through the palace garden, which is comprised of the North Pond and South Pond areas, and is a beautiful example of a strolling garden.
Tours of Sento Palace last about one hour and are conducted in Japanese only. Audio guides in several foreign languages are available. None of the palace buildings are entered, however, some of the structures, such as the Seikatei teahouse, are left open so that visitors can see inside and get an impression of imperial design and style.
Getting there and around
Sento Imperial Palace is located within the Kyoto Imperial Park. It can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 10 minutes by the Karasuma Subway Line. Get off at Marutamachi or Imadegawa Station. Both stations are about a 15 minute walk from the palace's entrance gate.
How to get to and around Kyoto
Hours and Fees
Free tours of Sento Imperial Palace are held several times per day except on Mondays (or the following day if Monday falls on a national holiday).
To book a tour, you need to apply in advance with your passport at the Imperial Household Agency's office in Kyoto Imperial Park (8:40 to 17:00, closed on Mondays, or next day if Monday falls on a national holiday). Alternatively, a small number of tour spots are available for reservation over the agency's website (see links below); however, these often get booked out. Online reservations must be completed several days before the intended visit.
In addition, a limited number of same-day tickets for some of the tours are distributed at the Sento Imperial Palace from 11:00 on a first-come first-serve basis.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Kyoto
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Japanese hotel, Ryokan NishiyamaExperience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto.View siteSponsored -
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Ryokan HirashinA traditional hotel with spacious rooms and high speed Wi-Fi. Conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto city. 3min to Shijo Karasuma Sta. and 5min to the famous Nishiki Market.View siteSponsored -
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Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASSLocated in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan ToriRyokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse EngawaGuesthouse Engawa offers accommodation in Kyoto. Guests can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of Kyoto in their rooms. Each comes with a flat-screen TV, and an electric kettle will be provided upon request. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Free toiletries and hairdryers are also available. There is luggage storage space at the property. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 600 metres from Guesthouse Engawa, while Heian Shrine is 2.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Gallery Nozawa InnGallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kyonoyado GekkoanSet in the Nakagyo Ward district in Kyoto, Kyonoyado Gekkoan offers an equipped accommodation with an balcony and free WiFi. The property is 1.1 km from Nijo Castle. This holiday home comes with a kitchenette with a microwave and a toaster, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a bathroom with a bath. A vegetarian or continental breakfast is available daily at the property. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.1 km from the holiday home. Osaka Itami Airport is 37 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Yado KiramachiFeaturing a garden, a terrace as well as a bar, Yado Kiramachi is set in the centre of Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.6 km from Gion Shijo Station, 2.1 km from Nijo Castle and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.3 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. Featuring a private bathroom, rooms at the ryokan also have free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at Yado Kiramachi. TKP Garden City Kyoto is 2.3 km from the accommodation, while Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.5 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from Yado Kiramachi.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House OumiWell set in the centre of Kyoto, Guest House Oumi provides air-conditioned rooms, a garden, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 2-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and room service. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.2 km from Nijo Castle. All units include a shared bathroom, free toiletries and bed linen. A continental breakfast is available daily at the guest house. Guest House Oumi offers a terrace. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 2.9 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from Guest House Oumi.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel MusoWell located in Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. This 3-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Rooms come with a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. At Hotel Muso each room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from Hotel Muso.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJOFeaturing 4-star accommodation, MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO is located in Kyoto, 1.6 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 1.5 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 300 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall, and within 1.1 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO each room comes with bed linen and towels. Gion Shijo Station is 1.5 km from the accommodation, while Kyoto Station is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 44 km from MIMARU SUITES KYOTO SHIJO.View on Booking.com
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