About the Imperial Palace | A Detailed Look at Its History and Overview

A Detailed Look at the History and Overview of the Imperial Palace

 

Table of Contents

1. Overview of the Imperial Palace
2. History of the Imperial Palace
3. Must-See Spots at the Imperial Palace
4. The Emperor’s Workplace: The “Palace” (Kyuden)
5. Events and Festivals at the Imperial Palace
6. Access to the Imperial Palace

Introduction

Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace stands, together with its history, as a symbol of Japan. Once known as Edo Castle, this site is now used as the official residence of the Emperor and as the stage for national ceremonies. The gardens and buildings spreading around the Imperial Palace reflect Japanese tradition and the beauty of nature, captivating many visitors throughout the year.

In this article, we first introduce an overview of the Imperial Palace, then explain its long history and important events. We also give a detailed guide to must-see spots such as the East Gardens and Nijubashi Bridge, the important events and seasonal festivals held at the Imperial Palace, and the access information you should know before your visit.

Through this article, we hope you will come to understand the history and culture behind the Imperial Palace along with its magnificent scenery, and fully enjoy its grand beauty and history.

Overview of the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is a symbolic presence in Japan, known as the official residence of the Emperor, the symbol of the State of Japan. This vast complex stands on the site of the former Edo Castle and occupies about 20% of the area in the southern part of Chiyoda City, Tokyo. After being renamed from Edo Castle in 1868, it was for a time also called “Kyujo,” but in 1948 it returned to its present name, “Kokyo” (Imperial Palace).

Within the grounds of the Imperial Palace are the “Gosho,” where the Emperor lives day to day, and the “Kyuden” (Palace), where various official functions are held. Gardens such as the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are open to the public and are visited by many tourists and residents. The East Gardens in particular are a garden that includes parts of the Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru enclosures of the former Edo Castle, and were opened to the public in 1968. Here you can enjoy the beauty of a Japanese garden.
The Palace is where acts in matters of state, Imperial Household ceremonies and welcoming ceremonies for foreign heads of state are held. Its architecture is designed to incorporate traditional Japanese beauty, and almost all of its building materials are domestically produced. Its main buildings include the Seiden, the Homeiden and the Rensui, each with its own role and history.

With its vast grounds and lush gardens, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace offers, despite lying at the center of the city, a tranquil space where time seems to have stopped, set apart from the modern clusters of buildings. Skyscrapers of glass and steel stand in rows, full of daily bustle and energy. Yet once you step inside the Imperial Palace, a different world unfolds: old stone walls, carefully tended pine trees, the quietly flowing water of the moats, and the natural beauty woven by seasonal flowers.

Through its historical background and its cultural role today, the Imperial Palace draws many visitors from within Japan and abroad. Its beautiful gardens and historic buildings have become a place that symbolizes Japanese tradition and culture, making it one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

History of the Imperial Palace

■ Muromachi Period to Edo Period

The history of the Imperial Palace goes back to the time when the site was Edo Castle. Built in 1457 by Ota Dokan, who was responsible for governing Musashi Province, the castle served as a strategic stronghold. Later, in 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu chose it as the political center of his shogunate, and it was greatly expanded. With this expansion, Edo Castle flourished as the center of Japanese politics and culture for roughly the next 260 years.

Throughout the Edo period, Edo Castle underwent many reconstructions and expansions, establishing its status as a magnificent castle complex. Within the castle, multiple enclosures such as the Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru were laid out; leading figures of the shogunate lived there, and the castle also functioned as a seat of government. Edo Castle was also known for its enormous structure and lavish decoration, and for holding many cultural treasures.

Meiji Period to Showa Period

In 1868, when Emperor Meiji traveled from Kyoto to Tokyo, Edo Castle entered a new era as the “Imperial Palace.” During this period, the Imperial Palace became a symbol of Japan’s modernization and of “civilization and enlightenment” (bunmei kaika), and many architectural and social changes were made.

After being reorganized as the Imperial Palace in the Meiji period, it was also called “Kyujo” from 1888 to 1948, and various architectural changes were made during that time. Especially important was the new palace built in 1888, designed in a style that fused traditional Japanese architecture with Western building techniques. However, this palace was destroyed by fire in an air raid during World War II, and after the war the rebuilding of the lost palace was delayed.

After the war, in 1948, the name “Kyujo” was officially changed to “Kokyo,” and a new era began. Then, based on the 1959 report of the Imperial Palace Construction Council, construction of the new Palace began in 1964 and was completed in 1968. This new Palace was built separately from the existing Gosho (residence) and is used for the official duties of the Imperial Family.

Heisei Period to Present

From the Heisei era to the present, the Imperial Palace has gone through many developments in response to modern changes while preserving its historical and cultural importance. During this period, the Imperial Palace has served as the stage for various events in Japan and abroad, and has also taken on a role as a public space.

With the start of the Heisei era, the Imperial Palace became more open, and its gardens and historic buildings were increasingly opened to the general public. In particular, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are open to the public, and their beautiful gardens and old architecture are loved by visitors. Here you can see many historic remains, starting with the site where the main keep of the former Edo Castle once stood.

Today’s Imperial Palace is also used as a venue for many cultural and historical events, and exhibitions and concerts introducing Japanese traditional culture and arts are held regularly. Through these, the Imperial Palace also plays a role as a cultural center of Japan. While evoking history, it also serves as an urban oasis.

3. Must-See Spots at the Imperial Palace

Statue of Kusunoki Masashige

The statue of Kusunoki Masashige in the Imperial Palace Outer Garden is an imposing bronze statue about 8 meters tall, known as one of the three great bronze statues of Tokyo. Kusunoki Masashige sided with Emperor Go-Daigo’s plan to overthrow the shogunate and was granted the official title of Hyoe-no-jo.

The statue portrays Kusunoki Masashige’s gallant figure as he welcomed Emperor Go-Daigo, showing him reining in his horse while pulling the reins and bowing his head in reverence. It was produced by the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) and completed in 1900, and the copper used was provided by the Besshi Copper Mine in Ehime Prefecture.

Kikyo-mon Gate

Kikyo-mon Gate, also called Uchi-Sakuradamon, is the counterpart of Soto-Sakuradamon (today’s Sakuradamon Gate). The alternative name “Kikyo-mon” has been used since the Edo period, and there are several theories about its origin: one is that it expressed congratulations on the shogun’s return to Edo after a visit to Kyoto around the Kan’ei era; another is that roof tiles bearing the kikyo (Chinese bellflower) crest from Ota Dokan’s time were found when Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo. Even today the gate’s onigawara (ridge-end tiles) bear the kikyo crest, symbolizing its historical importance.

Kikyo-mon Gate itself was built in 1614 (Keicho 19), and the surrounding stone walls were built in 1620 (Genna 6). The masugata (box-shaped) structure made up of a koraimon gate and a watari-yagura gate still remains today, and as part of Edo Castle’s defensive system, these gates convey the strategic design of former times.

Together with its beautiful architectural style, Kikyo-mon Gate is an important historical heritage that strongly reflects the political and military background of the Edo period, and a place that lets visitors feel the atmosphere of that era.

Otemon Gate

Otemon Gate was the main gate connecting Edo Castle with the castle town, and it served as the front gate of the Tokugawa shogunate throughout the Edo period. The gate was built in 1607 by Todo Takatora and was later repaired by Date Masamune. Built at enormous cost and effort, the gate played an important role as the main point of access into the castle and as a strategic defensive structure.

In front of Otemon Gate was a “gebajo” (dismounting place), where attendants other than the daimyo got off their horses and entered the castle on foot. Today’s Otemon Gate consists of a koraimon gate (first gate), a masugata square and a watari-yagura gate (second gate), and the stone walls have “ishizama” (loopholes) for shooting down enemies. Until the end of the Edo period, Otemon Gate functioned as an important structure symbolizing the authority of the shogunate.

Sakuradamon Gate

Sakuradamon Gate is one of the important gates of Edo Castle, and its name became widely known above all through the “Sakuradamon Incident” of 1860, in which the Tairo (Great Elder) Ii Naosuke was assassinated. Because of this incident, the gate is regarded as an important symbol in Japanese history. Its formal name is “Soto-Sakuradamon,” and it is the counterpart of Uchi-Sakuradamon (Kikyo-mon Gate).

Soto-Sakuradamon was built in the Kan’ei era (1624-1644) and is characterized by its sturdy structure of stone walls and a masugata. In 1636 it was further repaired and rebuilt into its present form. The name “Sakuradamon” comes from the fact that this area was once called “Sakurada-go.” After being damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, it was rebuilt, and in 1961 it was designated a National Important Cultural Property.

Seimon Tetsubashi (Main Gate Iron Bridge)

Seimon Tetsubashi is one of the two bridges spanning the moat from the Imperial Palace Plaza to the Palace. Together with Seimon Ishibashi (Main Gate Stone Bridge) in front of it, the two are widely referred to as “Nijubashi,” but strictly speaking “Nijubashi” refers to Seimon Tetsubashi. At the site of this iron bridge there was once a wooden bridge known as the “Nishinomaru Gejobashi,” and the name comes from the fact that this bridge was designed with a two-tiered structure to cope with the depth of the moat.

Seimon Tetsubashi was first built as an iron bridge in 1888 and was replaced with the current bridge in 1964. At that time, advanced rust-prevention technology was introduced, including the first use of zinc spraying in Japan. The bridge is normally not open to the public and is used only for official occasions such as the New Year General Visit and visits to the Imperial Palace by foreign guests of state.

Meanwhile, Seimon Ishibashi in front has a design influenced by Western architecture and is made of granite. As part of the beautiful scenery of the Imperial Palace Plaza and as important structures symbolizing Japanese history, these two bridges are loved by many visitors.

Fushimi Yagura (Fushimi Turret)

Fushimi Yagura is a historic structure in the Nishinomaru area of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and its name comes from the story that it was a turret of Fushimi Castle in Fushimi, Kyoto, relocated here. This traditional Japanese structure is said to have originally belonged to Fushimi Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and to have later been rebuilt at Edo Castle on the orders of Tokugawa Iemitsu, but this story is unconfirmed and remains speculation.

Fushimi Yagura stands on the stone walls together with a tamon-yagura (long turret) that also served a defensive purpose, forming beautiful scenery along with the white-walled turret. After collapsing in the Great Kanto Earthquake, it was dismantled and restored, so the current structure is a faithful reproduction of the original.

The turret can be seen from the Imperial Palace Plaza, where the Western architectural beauty of Seimon Ishibashi in front blends splendidly with the beauty of a traditional Japanese castle. It is especially popular with tourists and students on school trips, and is also known as a spot where many people take commemorative photos.

Fujimi Yagura (Fuji-View Turret)

Fujimi Yagura is a three-tiered turret within the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, located at the southern end of Edo Castle’s Honmaru, on the left after entering through the Chujakumon Gate. It is about 16 meters tall, and because it looks equally well-proportioned from any angle, it is also called the “turret with a front on all eight sides.” Fujimi Yagura is the building that took on an important role as a substitute for the main keep after the keep was destroyed in the Great Meireki Fire of 1657.

The first construction of Fujimi Yagura dates back to 1606 (Keicho 11), and the stone walls of its turret base were built by Kato Kiyomasa, making them some of the oldest stone walls remaining in the castle. It was rebuilt in 1659 (Manji 2) and has undergone several renovations since. In particular, it was badly damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake and was rebuilt using the old materials.

From this turret, one could once take in Mount Fuji, the Chichibu Mountains, Mount Tsukuba, Tokyo Bay and more in a single view, and it was named Fujimi Yagura for the beauty of that scenery. It is also known as a place associated with a poem by Ota Dokan, and is said to be a place that influenced the lines “My hut stands where pine groves stretch on and the sea is near; from beneath its eaves I see the lofty peak of Fuji.”

Ninomaru Garden

The Ninomaru Garden is a Japanese garden within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, created in 1968 (Showa 43) for the opening of the East Gardens, based on a garden drawing from the time of the ninth shogun Ieshige in the Edo period. The garden lies around the site of the Ninomaru Palace, which was built for the shogun’s heir and the shogun’s wife, and it has a history going back to 1630 (Kan’ei 7), when it was first laid out by the renowned samurai tea master Kobori Enshu.

The Ninomaru Garden was designed as a pond-strolling garden, and its beautiful scenery has been enjoyed as a place for viewing and recreation since the Edo period. The garden’s main features are a layout that skillfully incorporates nature and a landscape woven by plants of each of the four seasons. In Showa 35 (1960), it was developed as a garden attached to the Imperial Palace as part of the Imperial Palace East Area, and it was completed in 1968 (Showa 43) and opened to the public afterward.

The garden drawing of the ninth shogun Ieshige, preserved as a historical document, was used for the garden’s design, and efforts have been made to faithfully recreate its former appearance.

■ Edo Castle Main Keep Ruins

The ruins of Edo Castle’s main keep are located in the Honmaru of today’s Imperial Palace in Tokyo. A magnificent main keep symbolizing the authority of the Edo shogunate once stood here, but it was destroyed in the Great Meireki Fire of Meireki 3 (1657) and was never rebuilt afterward.

The stone walls of the keep are stained black with soot as a scar of one of the three great fires of Edo. A little before you climb up to the keep base, there is a well called “Kinmeisui.” This well was dug in preparation for holding out under siege in wartime, and in Iemitsu’s time there was also one in the basement of the small keep. The water from this well was regarded as an important water source in the days when the main keep was in use.

The keep base itself was built of granite to a height of about 18 m (about 11 m today) as a construction work undertaken by the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain, and on the advice of Hoshina Masayuki, uncle of the fourth shogun Ietsuna, the main keep was never rebuilt in later times. This advice was given because the main keep, regarded as a symbol of the Sengoku (Warring States) period, was considered outdated, and it was judged that the reconstruction of the castle town should take priority.The top is a wide open space with benches in the center, where visitors can enjoy a rest.

Imperial Household Agency Building

The Imperial Household Agency Building (formerly the Imperial Household Ministry building) is located within the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and its history and architectural style hold an important place in the history of modern Japanese architecture. The original building was a Western-style structure designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, but it was badly damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake and later removed. The current building was built afterward as its replacement, as the Imperial Household Ministry building, and was completed in Showa 10 (1935).

The design of the new building departed from the purely Western architecture of its predecessor and features an exterior that incorporates many Japanese-style elements. This building was also used for a time as a temporary palace. Because the Imperial Palace was hit in an air raid in May of Showa 20 (1945) and the Meiji Palace was destroyed by fire, the third floor of the building was remodeled in Showa 27 (1952), and it functioned as a temporary palace until the new Palace was completed in Showa 43 (1968).

This building is still used today as the Imperial Household Agency Building and plays an important role during official events at the Imperial Palace, such as the New Year General Visit and the Emperor’s Birthday General Visit. Its exterior can also be seen from the route of the general public tour of the Imperial Palace.

The Palace (Kyuden)

The Palace is the facility where the Emperor of Japan performs official ceremonies such as acts in matters of state and Imperial Household events, and it has been in use since April 1969 (Showa 44). It was built on the site of the Meiji Palace, which had been destroyed by fire, and is located in the Nishinomaru area of the Imperial Palace. Also called the New Palace, the building is of steel-framed reinforced concrete construction, with two floors above ground and one below, and a total floor area of 24,175 square meters.

The Meiji Palace survived the Great Kanto Earthquake, but it was destroyed by fire in the great air raid of May 25, 1945, during the Pacific War. Afterward, part of the Imperial Household Agency Building was remodeled and used as a temporary palace, but as international exchange increased, the building of a new palace was planned. Construction work on the new Palace began in 1964 (Showa 39) and was completed on November 14, 1968 (Showa 43).

Embodying traditional Japanese architectural beauty, the current Palace functions as a venue for national events and public ceremonies; unlike the Meiji Palace, it does not include living quarters and is used mainly for official occasions. Its specific buildings are the Seiden, the Homeiden, the Rensui, the Chowaden and the Chigusa-no-Ma/Chidori-no-Ma, each designed to accommodate particular ceremonies and events. Beautiful courtyards, the East Garden and the South Garden face these buildings, offering a different natural beauty in each season.

4. The Emperor’s Workplace: The “Palace” (Kyuden) 

Chumon (Middle Gate) to Totei (East Garden)

Every year at New Year and on the Emperor’s Birthday, members of the public can look toward the Chowaden from the Chumon Gate. On these occasions, His Majesty the Emperor stands with Her Majesty the Empress and other members of the Imperial Family on the central veranda of the Chowaden, receives the good wishes of the gathered crowd and gives an address.

Minami-damari (South Hall)

The Minami-damari, with an area of 528 square meters, is decorated with fine materials such as black granite from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Hyuga pine from Miyazaki Prefecture and Katsuren marble from Okinawa Prefecture, and its splendor is striking. Hanging from the ceiling is a huge chandelier weighing 2.3 tons, its crystal glass shining beautifully.

Nami-no-Ma (Wave Room)

Nami-no-Ma is a room with an area of 248 square meters, using Ichifusa cedar from Kumamoto Prefecture and pine from Shizuoka Prefecture. On the wall hangs the large mural “Asaake no Ushio” (Tide at Dawn) by Higashiyama Kaii, which depicts the natural beauty of Omijima.

Kairo (Corridor)

The 74-meter-long Kairo is a passageway used to move through the Palace and plays a particularly important role during visits by state guests. Its walls are hung with paintings on the theme of the four seasons, captivating those who pass through.

Chigusa-no-Ma / Chidori-no-Ma

These rooms are normally used as one, and pine from Kanagawa Prefecture and Kasuga cedar from Nara Prefecture are used. The curved ceiling design is especially distinctive, making it a space where Japanese craftsmanship shines.

Kita-damari (North Hall)

The Kita-damari has an area of 375 square meters and is the space used when dignitaries from Japan and abroad greet His Majesty the Emperor. On its walls are cloisonne wall decorations modeled on Shosoin treasures, conveying traditional Japanese beauty to the present day.

Shakkyo-no-Ma (Stone Bridge Room)

Shakkyo-no-Ma has an area of 245 square meters and uses Ichifusa cedar from Kumamoto Prefecture, Hyuga pine from Miyazaki Prefecture and more. On its walls hang the murals “Shakkyo,” “White Peony” and “Red Peony” by Maeda Seison, works that captivate visitors as symbols of Japanese nature and beauty.

Shunju-no-Ma (Spring and Autumn Room)

Shunju-no-Ma has an area of 608 square meters and is the second-largest room in the Palace. Its walls bear tapestry murals titled “Seiko” and “Jakko,” depicting spring and autumn scenes respectively. The floor is covered with a carpet modeled on “clouds,” adding rich cultural design to the whole space.

Homeiden

The Homeiden is the largest room in the Palace, with an area of 915 square meters. The room’s name derives from ancient banquets; on the wall is Nakamura Gakuryo’s tapestry “Toyohatagumo,” and the floor is covered with a carpet with a “grass” design by Sugiyama Yasushi.

Rensui

The Rensui is a 371-square-meter room with a partition wall that allows it to be divided into two rooms depending on the purpose. Its distinctive musomado (sliding-slat windows), modeled on the checkered fusuma (sliding doors) of the Shokintei at Katsura Imperial Villa, make it a space that conveys Japanese beauty to the present day.

Take-no-Ma (Bamboo Room)

Take-no-Ma is a 182-square-meter room built entirely of Kiso cypress, with bamboo-patterned fabric on its walls. The room also displays “Bamboo” by Fukuda Heihachiro and the “Ornamental Jar with Gold Brocade on Green Ground” by Kato Hajime.

Matsu-no-Ma (Pine Room)

Matsu-no-Ma has an area of 370 square meters and is the room used for important ceremonies for the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Its zelkova-wood plank floor and walls covered with fabric in a young-pine pattern create a dignified space.

Ume-no-Ma (Plum Room)

Ume-no-Ma is a 152-square-meter room displaying “Red and White Plum Blossoms” by Nakamura Gakuryo. The bases of the door handle ornaments are inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden), giving the whole room a delicate beauty.

5. Events and Festivals at the Imperial Palace

The events and festivals held at the Imperial Palace offer a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese tradition and culture. Every year, many official functions and cultural events take place inside and outside the Imperial Palace, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad.

■ New Year General Visit
The New Year General Visit, held every year on January 2, is an event at which members of the public gather at the Imperial Palace to offer New Year greetings to His Majesty the Emperor. On this day, the Emperor and members of the Imperial Family appear on a veranda of the Palace and greet the assembled crowds. The scene is also broadcast on Japanese television and is familiar to many people across the country.

■ Emperor’s Birthday General Visit
On February 23, the Emperor’s birthday, many people once again visit the Imperial Palace. On this day, too, the Emperor appears with members of the Imperial Family on a balcony of the Palace and greets the visitors. It is an important event covered not only within Japan but also by media abroad.

■ Opening of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are the part that is open to the public all year round, except on closing days (such as Mondays and Fridays), and here you can see the remains of the former Edo Castle. Especially during cherry blossom season, many people come for “ohanami” (flower viewing) to enjoy the arrival of spring. In autumn, you can admire the beauty of the fall foliage, so you can enjoy the beauty of nature throughout the year.

6.  Access to the Imperial Palace 

The Imperial Palace is located in central Tokyo and can easily be reached using many forms of public transportation.


■ Access by Train
The most convenient way to get there is by train. The nearest station to the Imperial Palace is Nijubashimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, about a 9-minute walk to the Imperial Palace Plaza with its view of Nijubashi Bridge. It is also about a 15-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, so it can be reached from multiple lines.

■ Access by Car
Visiting by car is also possible, but because traffic around the Imperial Palace generally tends to be congested, using public transportation is recommended. If you come by car, it is common to use nearby coin-operated parking lots, but congestion is expected especially on weekends and during events, so it is best to visit with plenty of time to spare.

■ Other Information
For bicycles and motorcycles, there are bicycle parking areas nearby, but these can also get very crowded, so please be careful. In addition, many pedestrians such as Imperial Palace runners use the area around the Imperial Palace, so it is good to keep this in mind when visiting.

Summary

Visiting the Imperial Palace means more than just a sightseeing experience. It offers an opportunity to experience Japan’s history, culture and natural beauty, and to understand what role the Emperor plays in modern Japan. Each spot in the Imperial Palace, the history that lives on there, and the ceremonies and events held there form the core of Japanese identity.

When you visit the Imperial Palace, keep in mind that every moment is filled with meaning, and fully enjoy the unique experience this historic place offers. We hope you will take home much learning and inspiration from this place that could be called the heart of Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions