Panoramic view of Tokyo skyline above the serene Imperial Palace Gardens.Culture

Imperial Palace East Gardens

皇居東御苑

Chiyoda, Tokyo · 東京

The inner grounds of the old castle, open free to the public: stone ramparts, guardhouses, and the enormous empty base of a donjon that burned down in 1657 and was never rebuilt.

Why it’s worth it

Standing on the foundation stones, you get the scale of what Tokyo was built around. Enter at Ōtemon and leave at Kitahanebashi for the best of the walls.

CategoryCulture
AreaChiyoda
Hours09:00–16:30 · closed Mon & Fri
castle ruinsmoatfree

Nearby

Walking distance from Imperial Palace East Gardens

All of Tokyo

More culture

Shrines, palaces and quiet rooms

Photo by Mark Baldovino on Pexels