Imperial Palace East Gardens
Cost
free
Attractions > Tokyo > Japanese Gardens > Tokyo Station
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Imperial Palace East Gardens Tokyo Japan
About
The Imperial Palace East Gardens (in Japanesei; Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen 皇居東御苑, ) are a part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace and are open and free to the public. The area in which the East Garden inhabits used to be the spot where the massive Edo Castle used to stand before it completely burned down in 1657 (view a short timeline history on the Imperial Palace page). Remnants of the castle, including walls, moats and gates can still be seen as you walk through the garden. On the lawn of the Honmaru area you can see the original foundations of the massive Edo Castle Keep (Tenshu) that once stood there. The East Garden, opened in 1968, is beautiful "must see" spot if you visit the Imperial Palace.
The simplest way to get to the gardern is through the Otemon Gate from Otemachi Station or Tokyo Station. The East Garden is huge at a sprawling 210,000 m2 (2,300,000 sq ft) and can be considered more of a park than a garden. It can get extremely hot during the summer months so consider bringing a sun umbrella or large sun hat and water while you walk around the grounds. If your interested in flowers, the Imperial Palace has a Flower Calendar you might be interested in viewing.
Map of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, East Garden Area
The Imperial Palace East Gardens is maintained and kept beautiful year round so it's a great place to visit anytime. There is a security check (bags) before you enter and the line can get quite long on some holidays. Once you get inside the area is large and can get hot during summer months so bring an umbrella for shade while walking. If you walk from Tokyo Station and then walk around the gardens it will be a lot of walking so be prepared for that. On the way to the palace there are plenty of up-scale coffee shops and restaurants to rest your feet and take a break.
Access
Closest Train Station: Tokyo Station
1-1 Chiyoda
Tokyo 100-0001 Japan
Tel: 03-3213-1111
The Otemon entrance to the East Gardens is a short walk from Otemachi Station on the Chiyoda, Tozai, Marunouchi, Hanzomon and Mita Subway Lines. It can also be reached in a 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Imperial Palace East Gardens.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Generally from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (4:30 p.m. in summer months) but times subject to change during seasons.
Closed: Closed during Mondays, Fridays, New Year (Dec. 28 to Jan. 3) and some special occasions. If Monday or Friday is a national holiday, the gardens are closed on the following day instead.
Cost: Free
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
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