Official Calendar
Public openings, official guided tours, annual ceremonies, and seasonal programmes at the Imperial Palace Tokyo. All dates sourced from the Imperial Household Agency — verify before visiting, as events can change without notice.
⚠️ Always verify before attending. Imperial Palace events — especially the annual public openings — can be modified, rescheduled, or cancelled due to Imperial Court schedules or security requirements. Always check the official calendar at kunaicho.go.jp/en/visit/event/ before making travel arrangements.
Twice each year, the inner palace grounds — normally closed to the public — are opened for a general public greeting. These are the only occasions when visitors can enter the Kyuden front area and see the Emperor in person.
The largest public event at the Imperial Palace — typically drawing tens of thousands of visitors. The Emperor, Empress, and members of the Imperial Family appear on the Chokoden balcony in multiple sessions throughout the morning (historically around 9:30, 10:20, 11:00, 11:40, 14:00, and 14:40 — exact times vary and are announced in advance at kunaicho.go.jp). Entry to the inner grounds is free and no ticket is required, but arrival by 8:00 is strongly recommended for the earlier sessions. This is the single busiest day at the Imperial Palace each year.
Emperor Naruhito was born February 23, 1960. On his birthday each year, the inner palace grounds are opened for a public greeting. The format is similar to the New Year event but typically smaller in attendance — the Emperor and Imperial Family appear on the Chokoden balcony in 2–3 sessions. Free admission, no ticket required. The 2026 event has already passed; mark February 23, 2027 in your calendar if planning ahead.
The Imperial Household Agency runs a free guided tour of the inner palace grounds — including views of the Kyuden exterior, the Ninomaru Garden, and the Nijubashi Gate area — twice daily, Tuesday to Saturday (excluding national holidays that fall on these days, and December 28 to January 3). Sessions run at approximately 10:00 and 13:30. Advance online registration is required at sankan.kunaicho.go.jp. Valid photo ID is mandatory. Maximum 200 participants per session (online registration) or 300 (walk-in). Tour duration: approximately 75 minutes.
The East Garden (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) is open free of charge on operating days — no booking, no ticket. Entry via Ōte-mon Gate (main), Hirakawa-mon Gate (north), or Kitahanebashi-mon Gate (north). Closed Mondays, Fridays, December 28–January 3, and occasional Imperial Court event days. See the visiting information page for seasonal hours.
The Chidorigafuchi moat (northwest of the palace grounds) is among Tokyo's most celebrated cherry blossom viewing locations. The 300-metre canal walk is lined with weeping cherry trees; rowing boats are available from the Chidorigafuchi Boathouse (typically ¥500–800 per person, open late March to early May depending on bloom timing). The Kitanomaru Park adjacent to the palace grounds is a second major blossom area. The East Garden's Ninomaru area also has cherry trees — less crowded than the moat. Peak bloom in Tokyo is typically late March to early April, though climate variation means checking a current forecast is essential.
The Ninomaru Garden inside the East Garden is planted with Japanese maples that turn red and gold from mid-October through November. This is one of the quieter but most visually rewarding times to visit the garden. The official guided tour runs year-round (Tue–Sat, as above), and the autumn colours are visible throughout the 2.2 km inner grounds route.
Sources used for this page:
Imperial Household Agency official website (kunaicho.go.jp) — accessed June 2026.
Imperial Palace guided tour registration system (sankan.kunaicho.go.jp) — accessed June 2026.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government tourism information (gotokyo.org) — accessed June 2026.
All dates and times are subject to change — verify before visiting.
Available on all open days — from $16 per person, free cancellation up to 24 hours.
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