The Kyoto Imperial Palace, located in the center of downtown Kyoto, is one of the most popular places to visit when sightseeing in Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto.
The "Kyoto Imperial Palace" has a very long history, having been the residence of successive emperors for about 500 years until the Meiji Emperor moved to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 1869.
Although there are days when the museum is closed to the public, it is open to the public "all year round," and since "no advance reservations or applications are required" and visits are "free," many tourists visit the museum every year. The museum is open to the public "all year round," although there are days when it is closed to the public.
Why is the Kyoto Imperial Palace so famous?
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The Kyoto Imperial Palace is a facility related to the Imperial Household located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
The history of the city dates back to 794, when the capital, Heian-kyo, was moved to the present-day city of Kyoto, and until 1869, it served as the seat of government in the Japanese capital and as the residence of the emperor.
The building was frequently destroyed by fire and rebuilt each time, and most of the current buildings were reconstructed in 1855.
The Shishinden Hall, built in the Heian period (794-1185) architectural style, is a popular sightseeing spot for its beautiful garden and architecture that evokes the tasteful culture of the Japanese dynasties.
Today, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is used to hold tea ceremonies to celebrate the accession to the throne and as a place to entertain state guests.
So the facility plays an important role as a place to introduce Japanese imperial culture!
Free admission, open to the public year-round
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is a short walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Line.
It is located in a corner of the Kyoto Gyoen, a national park that covers an area about two times the size of the Tokyo Dome.
Previously open to the public only for limited periods of time or without an appointment, it began "year-round" in the fall of 2016.
Since there is no admission fee, anyone can visit the museum, making it a popular spot for both Japanese and foreign tourists.
* Visits are suspended every Monday, during the year-end and New Year holidays, and on days when there are events. Before visiting, be sure to check the public schedule on the official website. (https://kyoto-gosho.kunaicho.go.jp/visit)
Free guided tours are also available in Japanese, English, and Chinese (approximately 50 minutes).
The free information is available on the day of the event, with no reservations required, so you can easily participate on the day of the event.
If the number of applicants is too large, restrictions may apply, so if you are unable to attend,Voice Guided Apps（It is also recommended to visit the museum while listening to the guide (in Japanese, English, Chinese, French, and Spanish).
＜Kyoto Imperial Palace: Guided tours by staff members are available during the following hours.
Japanese (4 times) 9:30 ／ 10:30 ／ 13:30 ／ 14:30
English (2 sessions) 10:00 / 14:00
Chinese (2 sessions) 10:00 / 14:00
Highlights of the Kyoto Imperial Palace
From here, I will briefly introduce the highlights of the Kyoto Imperial Palace!
1. shikihokuden
Shishinden," the most prestigious building in the Kyoto Imperial Palace, is where important ceremonies such as the Emperor's coronation were held.
In front of Shikikinden, the "southern garden" is paved with white sand, and the "Ukon no tachibana" is planted on the left side facing Shikikinden and the "Sakon no sakura" on the right side ", trees that symbolize the Kyoto Imperial Palace, are planted on the right side.
It is not flashy, but you can feel the traditional Japanese architectural beauty and dynastic culture, such as the roof made with traditional techniques such as shifting the cypress bark little by little and fixing it with bamboo nails, layering it layer by layer.
2. seiryoden (pavilion)
Seiryoden, located in the Kyoto Imperial Palace, is a restored Heian-period style building, similar to the previously mentioned Shikikinden, and is a facility where visitors can experience the culture of the Japanese imperial court.
Seiryoden, where the emperor goes about his daily life, is located immediately behind Shikikinden.
3. oike garden
In the Kyoto Imperial Palace, there is a garden called "Oike-teien.
The garden is a "kaiyushiki garden" where visitors can enjoy the beautiful seasonal scenery of Japan by walking around the pond, watching wild birds fly by, and enjoying the autumn leaves at certain times of the year.
4. Kyoto Imperial Garden
After attending the Kyoto Imperial Palace, a stroll through the surrounding "Kyoto Gyoen" is recommended.
The Kyoto Gyoen, stretching 1,300 m from north to south and 700 m from east to west, is a place of recreation and relaxation for the citizens of Kyoto, where they can enjoy seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and autumn leaves.
There are rest areas and cafes in the park, so please enjoy a moment of rest and relaxation after a stroll!
Visit the historic "Kyoto Imperial Palace," the residence of the Emperor!
Thus, the "Kyoto Imperial Palace" was home to successive emperors for about 500 years.
Now you can visit the museum "without reservation" and "free of charge".
It is one of the most important places to learn about Japanese history and imperial culture, and should be visited at least once when sightseeing in Kyoto!
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Address: 3 Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone:075-211-1215
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Last admission: 40 minutes before closing
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
In addition, there are days when the museum is closed to the public due to events, etc.
Admission: Free
Access: 5-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway, 5-minute walk from Karasuma Imadegawa bus stop on the city bus, 20-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Railway
https://kyoto-gosho.kunaicho.go.jp/
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