Kyoto Imperial Palace

京都御所 Kyōto-gosho

The palace is a reconstruction (dating from 1855), though the Emperor doesn't spend much time there, and the guided tour doesn't enter the palace buildings, only peeking at them from the outside, but nevertheless, it provides interesting insight into the lives of the Imperial Court and it's the only Imperial site in Kyoto that offers English guides. Show up an hour before the tour at the Imperial Household Agency building (west of Kyoto Imperial Palace), and they'll let you join if there's space, or make a booking for another day if there isn't. If you don't want to chance it, advance bookings can also be made online through the Imperial Household Agency's official website.

• Built 1337

• history
• free
• viewpoint

Address

京都府京都市上京区京都御苑3

Getting there

A 5-10 minute walk south from the Imadegawa subway station, Karasuma subway line

Hours

English tours Mon-Fri at 10:00 and 14:00 (by appointment only)

Price

Free

Phone

+81 75 211 1215

Website

sankan.kunaicho.go.jp (opens in a new tab)