Imperial Palace East Gardens
Marunouchi, Tokyo
Hours through the year
1 Mar to 14 Apr
- Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun
- 9:00 to 17:00
- Mon, Fri
- Closed
15 Apr to 31 Aug
- Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun
- 9:00 to 18:00
- Mon, Fri
- Closed
1 Sep to 30 Sep
- Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun
- 9:00 to 17:00
- Mon, Fri
- Closed
1 Oct to 31 Oct
- Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun
- 9:00 to 16:30
- Mon, Fri
- Closed
Rest of the year
- Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun
- 9:00 to 16:00
- Mon, Fri
- Closed
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Closed December 28 to January 3 and on event days. National holidays are open except the Emperor's Birthday, and if a Monday holiday is open the following Tuesday is closed.
Source: kunaicho.go.jp, checked 14 Oct 2026.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are the old grounds of Edo Castle, free to enter and surprisingly empty. Huge stone walls, the base of the lost castle tower and immaculate gardens, right in the geographic centre of the city.
More photos of Imperial Palace East Gardens
Insider tip
Closed Mondays and Fridays. Climb the castle tower base for a view over the gardens. The Museum of the Imperial Collections (Sannomaru Shozokan) inside the gardens is a paid museum, closed until it fully reopens on 3 November 2026, so check before you plan around it.
What's on at Imperial Palace East Gardens
Upcoming events at Imperial Palace East Gardens and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Tokyo events calendar.
New Year Public Greeting at the Imperial Palace
新年一般参賀
Station Tokyo (JR) or Nijubashimae (Chiyoda Line), about 10 min walk
On 2 January the Emperor and members of the Imperial family greet the public from the Chowaden hall of the palace, several times through the day. It's one of only two days a year the palace grounds open this way, and the Imperial Household Agency announces the times nearer the day.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Emperor's Birthday Public Greeting
天皇誕生日一般参賀
Station Tokyo (JR) or Nijubashimae (Chiyoda Line), about 10 min walk
On the Emperor's birthday, 23 February, the Emperor greets the public from the Chowaden hall in the morning, and visitors can sign a congratulatory register in the afternoon.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Sannomaru Shozokan Grand Opening Special Exhibition: Imperial Treasures, Where Beauty Emerges
皇居三の丸尚蔵館グランドオープン記念特別展「皇室の至宝―美いづるところ」
Time 9:30 to 17:00 (Fridays and Saturdays until 20:00) Station Otemachi (Tokyo Metro), 5 min walk
This special exhibition celebrates the full opening of the renovated Sannomaru Shozokan, running from November 3, 2026 to January 24, 2027, with the display divided into three rotating periods. The opening period includes Shosoin treasures from Todaiji, displayed for the first time inside the Imperial Palace, alongside works by Kano Eitoku.
National Treasure Colorful Realm of Living Beings: Ito Jakuchu's 30 scrolls (grand opening exhibition)
皇居三の丸尚蔵館グランドオープン記念特別展 国宝 動植綵絵 いろどりの世界
Time Timed-entry tickets Station Otemachi (Tokyo Metro, Toei Mita Line), 5 min walk
All 30 scrolls of Ito Jakuchu's Colorful Realm of Living Beings shown together, the first time since their 2021 National Treasure designation, with other Kyoto bird-and-flower paintings.
1,300 Years of Japanese Calligraphy (grand opening exhibition)
皇居三の丸尚蔵館グランドオープン記念特別展 日本の書の美1300年
Time Timed-entry tickets; works change between parts (25 Mar to 18 Apr, 21 Apr to 16 May) Station Otemachi (Tokyo Metro, Toei Mita Line), 5 min walk
Thirteen centuries of calligraphy from the imperial collections, from Heian court scrolls onwards, with a large change of works halfway through.
Nearby
Around Marunouchi
Marunouchi has 4 places on the Roam Tokyo map: 1 park or garden, 1 landmark, 1 viewpoint and 1 museum.
Good to know
- What is the address of Imperial Palace East Gardens?
- 1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (in Japanese: 東京都千代田区千代田1).
- What are the opening hours of Imperial Palace East Gardens?
- 1 Mar to 14 Apr: Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun 9:00 to 17:00; Closed Mon, Fri. 15 Apr to 31 Aug: Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun 9:00 to 18:00; Closed Mon, Fri. 1 Sep to 30 Sep: Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun 9:00 to 17:00; Closed Mon, Fri. 1 Oct to 31 Oct: Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun 9:00 to 16:30; Closed Mon, Fri. Rest of the year: Tue to Thu, Sat, Sun 9:00 to 16:00; Closed Mon, Fri. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Closed December 28 to January 3 and on event days. National holidays are open except the Emperor's Birthday, and if a Monday holiday is open the following Tuesday is closed.
- How do I get to Imperial Palace East Gardens?
- The nearest station is Otemachi (Metro). Imperial Palace East Gardens is in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
- How much does Imperial Palace East Gardens cost?
- Nothing. Imperial Palace East Gardens is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Imperial Palace East Gardens?
- Plan for 1-2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Imperial Palace East Gardens?
- Mornings, closed Mon and Fri.
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