Tokyo›Guides›Imperial Palace East National Gardens›Skip-the-line guide

Imperial Palace East Gardens and Palace Tours: Free Entry, Closures and Tips

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are free with no booking, open from 9 am, and closed on Mondays and Fridays (and 28 December to 3 January). Closing time is 4 pm to 5-6 pm by season. To see the inner palace grounds, join the free Imperial Household Agency tour: book online in advance, or try for same-day places at the Kikyō-mon gate. Go at 9 am on a weekday for quiet gardens.

At a glance

East Gardens: Free, no booking
Opens: 9 am
Closes: 4 pm (winter) to 5-6 pm (summer)

How busy are the East Gardens?

The East Gardens occupy the inner citadel of the old Edo Castle, with massive stone walls, guardhouses, moats and the foundation of the castle keep. They're spacious and rarely crowded, though tour groups come from late morning, and the gardens get busy in cherry blossom and autumn seasons.

Time	What to expect	Verdict
9-10:30 am	Quiet paths	Best
11 am-3 pm	Tour groups	OK
Last hour	Calm, last entry 30 minutes before closing	Good

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you go, check how busy the Imperial Palace East Gardens are likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date.

Check today’s crowds at Imperial Palace East National Gardens →

The free Imperial Palace grounds tour

The palace itself is the emperor's residence and not open, but the Imperial Household Agency runs free guided tours of the inner grounds, including views of the Fujimi-yagura keep and the Nijūbashi bridge from inside.

Book online in advance on the Imperial Household Agency site. Popular dates fill quickly.

Or try for same-day places, given out at the Kikyō-mon gate before each tour, subject to availability.

Bring original photo ID (passport) for the check at the gate.

Tours last about 1 hour, with audio guides in English.

The New Year and birthday greetings

On 2 January and the emperor's birthday (23 February), the inner grounds open to the public for greetings from the imperial family. Expect huge crowds.

Best (and worst) times to go

9 am, Tuesday to Thursday.

Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, with crowds.

Worst: Mondays and Fridays (closed), weekend late mornings in spring.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the East Gardens shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Imperial Palace East National Gardens →

FAQs

Are the Imperial Palace East Gardens free?

Yes, with no booking.

When are the East Gardens closed?

Mondays, Fridays, 28 December to 3 January, and some court function days.

Can you go inside the Imperial Palace?

Not the palace buildings, but a free guided tour visits the inner grounds.

How do you book the Imperial Palace tour?

Online through the Imperial Household Agency, or same-day places at the Kikyō-mon gate.

What is the best time to visit?

At 9 am, Tuesday to Thursday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Sources

How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 21 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.

Hours	From 9 am. Closing 4 pm to 5-6 pm by season. Last entry 30 minutes before
Closed	Mondays, Fridays, 28 December to 3 January, and some court function days
Entry token	Collect at the gate, return when leaving
Time needed	1-1.5 hours

Imperial Palace East Gardens and Palace Tours: Free Entry, Closures and Tips

How busy are the East Gardens?

The free Imperial Palace grounds tour

What to see in the East Gardens

Best (and worst) times to go

Plans by visitor type

History lovers

Families

Limited mobility

Getting there

Practical info

Mistakes to avoid

Is it worth it?