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Kyoto Imperial Palace

(京都御所)

Palace and Historic and Protected Site

京都市

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8.5^/10

645

ratings

"Worth booking in advance for the guided tour of the complex"(6 Tips)
"when the emperor moved to Tokyo."(3 Tips)
"former residence of the Emperor of Japan"(2 Tips)
"our tour guide"(17 Tips)

50 Tips and reviews

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Eric DallemagneAugust 8, 2017
It used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor moved to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park, an attractive park in the center of the city.
Cynthia DrescherMay 28, 2013
The only way in is via advanced reserved tour. There are 2 per day, & reservations can be made at the visitor centre towards the NE corner of the park. Plan in advance or only see the outside!
Upvoted 3 days ago
Jeff ForbesOctober 11, 2015
Free English tours 2 times a day -- you have to sign up in advance (preferably a day or so) for it. Be aware that you cannot go inside, but there's a bunch of beautiful architecture and gardens.
Simple DiscoveriesApril 8, 2016
Took advantage of a public day at the palace for cherry blossom season, otherwise you need to book your tour 30 days in advance. Neat part of Japanese history!
Forever KyotoFebruary 14, 2013
Be sure to have your walking shoes as the palace grounds take time to circumvent. Also note that the inner grounds are only open on selected days of the year.
Matthew CaldecuttApril 25, 2016
The complex is massive, but there's more to see on the grounds than just the palace, especially if you weren't able to secure a spot on the limited number of tours available.
RaphaelJuly 6, 2016
If visiting during summer : I'd recommend to go to the morning session. The one at 2pm is barely bearable due to the heat. Get first in line to take the best pictures.
Connie ChiuJuly 9, 2017
Super expansive and cool to walk around in. It's also surrounded by a park (with gravel floors) so it's bigger for walking than it looks.
Nadira IlanaAugust 7, 2013
Go earlier to book a tour. We went in the summer so it's very hot. The palace is quite bare so there isn't much to see but our tour guide was very good and very thorough.
Cherie PeytonOctober 24, 2016
A long walk just to walk round the outside walls of the castles. We were lucky enough to be there as the Emporer and his wife drove out though.
Judith RooskenSeptember 27, 2017
Stunning gardens. Download the Imperial Palace guide app for an English spoken tour.
Edwin ShaoDecember 18, 2013
Gain exclusive access to the former residence of the Emperor of Japan, which oversaw many important functions until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869.
Sedat Ö.April 17, 2018
Check online before visiting. They have a “monthly regular closing schedule” otherwise you only can take pictures from outside
Enzo MartinelliMay 25, 2016
Worth booking in advance for the guided tour of the complex
T PainJune 19, 2013
Guided tour isn't that spectacular so do a bit of reading on the history of the place before you go to enjoy its rich heritage even more.
Michael C.January 8, 2016
You have to get (free) tickets for a guided tour to get inside. We got them half an hour before the tour, though.
Jelle Van den EedeMay 28, 2017
Unlike what some websites say no reservation needed. Free entrance. Closed at 5pm however.
Samantha YOctober 25, 2016
No longer need reservations as it's open to the public but would advise getting here when it opens in the morning.
Rupesh KumarMarch 18, 2018
It closes 4pm, so try to get in and collect your passes. There are some apps for guided audio tours.
Yann PersonFebruary 11, 2016
Impressive place. The park is pretty huge, ideal for a walk.
Melissa DuffyMay 1, 2016
The grounds are nice, if not visually stimulating. But the palace has a big wall around it so you can't see anything and they hardly open the gates
Maiyada MahdalyJuly 3, 2014
it was ok but.... there are more beautiful things in Kyoto so dont waist your time there. Visit the one in Tokyo instead. Dont forget to get a reservasion through the government's website to access in
Julia GrandoApril 1, 2016
Huge garden to walk, but the palace itself is nothing incredible.
Eduardo ChristophNovember 20, 2015
You must book in advance!
Peter HannaNovember 14, 2011
Head to the information office (NW corner of the park) at 8:45 a.m. to sign up for a guided tour of the palace grounds (10 am and 2 pm).
Hanna ModApril 2, 2015
If you don't have the admission for the buildings, there is not that much to see here. Don't waste your time, since Kyoto offers so much more.
Sabino DiazMay 23, 2015
Make a reservation 2 months before to get into the palace!
JayDecember 21, 2016
The architecture is gorgeous.
AndyOctober 13, 2017
free entry - reservations are no longer needed
Raj DahalMarch 23, 2014
Very nice place.
Abdullah AlsuliemanNovember 26, 2018
Trees and leaves are breathtaking
Juan María HernándezMay 19, 2012
I was there in 2008. Impressive, beutiful city.
Christian SchwindenSeptember 9, 2013
The palace tour is not worth its time. Its mainly about looking closed doors. So dont waste your time with it :-/
ClaudiaApril 13, 2015
Impressive
Chiew Anne YeapAugust 26, 2013
One in the tour no leaving early. Waste of time. They only show u doors which are closed !! Waste of time
Maximiliano FloresJune 3, 2018
Too much trouble to get in...so we go elsewhere...
saaaachiiOctober 3, 2014
京都御苑の中央部に京都御所がございます。明治維新までの皇居で南北450m、東西250mの築地塀に囲まれた敷地に雅な殿舎が立ち並んでいす。現在のものは、1855年に造営されたもので、古来の内裏の形態を今日に保存している由緒あるものです。御所の中心の建物•紫辰殿を始めとし、清涼殿、小殿所、御学問所、御常御殿など、平安時代以降の建築様式の移り変わりをつぶさに見ることができます。
Upvoted 3 weeks ago
K TSeptember 16, 2014
予約しないと御所の中は見れません。地下鉄駅がかなり隣接していますが、あまりに広大なため御苑から御所までは30分以上歩きます。中を見るならば、一時間半程度は要します。
taka🥂June 17, 2017
通年公開になりましたので特に事前予約など不要です。もちろん無料。入り口でカバンの中をチラ見せする程度のセキュリティチェック有り。写真撮影自由。なお月曜日は休みですのでご注意ください。
Nansky G.September 13, 2013
Si no has reservado por internet se puede hacer en las oficinas cerca de la entrada principal. Dura 1h y hay mucha gente, hacer el tour de las 10h, el de las 2h puede ser mortal.
Hugo HOctober 8, 2015
La visita guiada en ingles le falta algo, déjalo al final de tu visita por Kyoto. Fuera de temporada alta nos toco guía hasta el día siguiente. Hay que reservar.
Tai TRINH CONGSeptember 3, 2019
Application gratuite en guise de visite guidée. Indispensable pour comprendre les lieux et leur histoire.
Игорь ЕршовApril 2, 2014
Что бы попасть во дворец, надо зайти в Household agency, от входа налево, предъявить паспорт, заполнить форму и готово
María FernándezJune 25, 2013
Es un rollo pero hay que reservar turno para verlo. Os recomiendo la visita de las 10 am si vais en verano. El Tour es en inglés y dura una hora, aprox.
Roberto GeroliApril 2, 2013
Volendo visitare un palazzo imperiale, puntare a questo tour guidato (a Tokyo non si può). Andando all’Agenzia della Casa Imperiale (dentro il parco) basta mostrare il passaporto e prenotarsi
GiseNovember 15, 2015
Si vas a Kioto no puedes dejar de ir al Palacio imperial y tiene audio guía en español
Erika AraJuly 3, 2014
Los tours son a las 10 y a las 2 y son gratis, muy recomendable, llega 30 min antes
BackyMay 9, 2013
新緑の頃、ベンチに座ると深い緑の香りにつつまれます( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
Izumi TomiyamaNovember 3, 2011
「京都御所」は「京都御苑」の中にある宮殿のこと。ただし、一般には「京都御苑」全体が「御所」と呼ばれることが多い。京都御苑は年中公開されているが、京都御所に入るには、春秋の一般公開期間以外は、宮内庁への事前申込が必要。
Anja :)October 6, 2019
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