Place · Marunouchi / Ginza

Imperial Palace East Gardens皇居東御苑

Free gardens on the old castle grounds, a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station; check the closing days before you go.

goadmission: unknownNot field-verified

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Key facts

Time on site: 50–70 min; p95 90 min
Price: Free; adult, 2026 estimate
Hours: unknown; closed Mon, Fri
Best time: unknown
28″ bags: Yes; Marunouchi / Ginza: ok
Getting there: Ōtemachi (subway) or Tokyo Station Marunouchi side, to the Ōte-mon gate

Free entry
Closed some weekdays: check
Works with kids

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 8Avoid moving large bags on trains 07

East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Kanto ↗Suica/PASMO is the default IC card; ICOCA also works.
Kanto ↗Tokyo stands on the left side of escalators.
Tokyo ↗Avoid moving large bags on trains 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30; rush-hour cars are packed.

Actions

Map & directions

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Directions

From where I am

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Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day

Open: Hours not on file: check the official site.
Crowds: Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Quietest Mon–Fri · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate
Tickets: Adult: Free
Time to spend: 50–70 min · up to 90 min if you linger

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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

40min

Worthwhile

50min

Typical

70min

p95

90min

Closed on some weekdays; last entry and closing vary by season; not printed until verified.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board

Where to buy: No ticket needed.
Official site ↗
Free days: Always free — East Gardens close Mondays and Fridays.
Free entry days in Tokyo (pick Tokyo in the tool; check)
Bags & lockers: Bags may be inspected at the Ōte-mon gate.
Photos: Banned; the palace area is a no-fly zone.
What's closed: WeeklyClosed on Mondays and Fridays; when a national holiday falls on those days the rules change (check the official calendar).
New Year (28 Dec–3 Jan)Closed; the palace opens for the public New Year greeting on 2 January (check).
State eventscheckClosed at short notice for official events.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

Ticket	Price	Note
Entry	Free	Take a plastic token at the gate and return it when you leave.
Imperial Palace grounds guided tour	Free	Separate tour of the inner grounds; book online in advance or queue for same-day places (check).

In the park

from our notes · hours and rules: check

On here this week

Opening hours: Closed on Mondays and Fridays; when a national holiday falls on those days the rules change (check the official calendar).
New Year (28 Dec–3 Jan): Closed; the palace opens for the public New Year greeting on 2 January (check).
State events: Closed at short notice for official events.
Gates and entrances: From Ōtemachi (subway) or Tokyo Station Marunouchi side, to the Ōte-mon gate.
Bags may be checked at the gate.
Kids and playgrounds: Wide lawn on the Honmaru to run on and stone walls to explore; toilets near the gates.
Events and seasonal blooms: New Year greeting at the Imperial Palace (2 January): The one day the public enters the inner palace plaza; security queues from early morning.
Rules: No picnics with alcohol, no ball games; stay on the paths in the Ninomaru garden.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop: Ōtemachi (subway) or Tokyo Station Marunouchi side, to the Ōte-mon gate
Exit: —
Ticket: free · official site
Stairs: none of note
Shoes: Shoes on.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock: Calm on weekday mornings.
Sensory load: 1/5
Exposure: high

Bailouts

heat
KITTE lobby (AC)
rain
Tokyo Station Marunouchi concourse

Nearest rescue anchor: A — Tokyo Station Marunouchi concourse

Step-free check

wheelchair: caution

Step-free entrance: partly · partlyGravel paths and a steady slope up from Ōte-mon to the former keep base.
Lifts: no · no
Accessible toilet: check · check
Wheelchair: partly · partlyPassable with help; the slope to the Honmaru lawn is the hard part.
Stroller: partly · partlycaution

Gravel paths and a steady slope up from Ōte-mon to the Honmaru lawn; passable with help.

Combine with

nearest first

10 minTokyo Station Marunouchi building — Red-brick façade; KITTE rooftop garden next to it.
15 minNijūbashi bridge viewpoint — The classic palace view from the outer plaza.
15 minTokyo Ramen Street — Under Tokyo Station, Yaesu side.
20 minGinza — Or one stop on the Marunouchi line.

Walk the Marunouchi / Ginza area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Best photo time today

sun times for the area

Sun times for today load in your browser.

Red lines

Bags may be checked at the gate.

More on the groundRules on site · With kids2 parts

Rules on site

enforced at the gate or by guards

conduct: No picnics with alcohol, no ball games; stay on the paths in the Ninomaru garden.

With kids

kids: okstroller: caution

with kids: Wide lawn on the Honmaru to run on and stone walls to explore; toilets near the gates.
child price: free (entry is free)

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Can I see the palace itself?

No, only the East Gardens and the old castle foundations. Guided palace-ground tours need booking with the Imperial Household Agency.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Which days is it closed?

Usually Mondays and Fridays, plus some special days (check the official calendar).

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources

officialImperial Household Agency — visits