TOKYO · JAPAN
The Tokyo shortlist.
The 15 most popular imperial palace tours in Tokyo right now. Here is what each one costs, how long it takes, and who actually runs it, so you can pick the one worth a day and book it.
Follow shogun footsteps at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace gardens, from Otemon Gate to bamboo paths and royal koi, with an English guide.
Most Popular“Mika was a wonderful guide and did an excellent job of explaining the history of the castle and of Japan. We would highly recommend this tour!”
Guided walk of Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens with an English host, Edo Castle remains, Ninomaru Garden koi ponds, and stone-wall secrets.
“very informative well worth it to gain context for the palace and wider Japanese history.”
Stroll Tokyo’s East Gardens with a live English guide to see Edo Castle ruins, Ninomaru Garden, and seasonal color for $19.
“Our guide Mei was excellent. Very knowledgeable about history and the relevance of the Imperial Palace. The military architecture and gardens were fascinating. Highly recommend”
A 4-hour Tokyo afternoon tour with an English guide: Imperial Palace exteriors, Sensō-ji and Nakamise, then Tokyo Tower views.
“It was all good from start to finish, the guide was great with good knowledge and very friendly.”
Tokyo Edo Castle & Imperial Palace East Gardens guided walk: 2 hours of shogun-era stories, serene grounds, and koi fish, $42.
“We had Yoshi. She was absolutely fantastic. She was very informative. Yo gave us a great insight into the history of the imperial family the gardens. It was such a delight. Couldn’t ask for a better guide.”
A small-group Kamakura walking tour hitting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Komachi Street, the Great Buddha, and Hasedera, with expert guide context.
“This tour was incredible. Everything about the tour - from riding the Enoden train, visiting the Great Buddah, and enjoying the beauty of the various shrines, temples and scenery - was just perfect. Our tour guide, Maki - was a gem. It was beautiful to see how much she loved her community and how she…”
Walk the Imperial Palace eastern gardens with a guide, learn Japan’s turning points, and spot rare koi and great photo spots.
“the guide was awesome, a real fountain of knowledge”
Private 2-hour tour of Edo Castle ruins and Imperial Palace East Gardens with an English guide, plus seasonal garden highlights.
“Our guide, Yuji, was awesome. He was well informed, friendly and very attentive. I recommend this activity and Yuji if you can get him as a guide!!!”
A 2-hour English walking tour around Tokyo’s Imperial Palace grounds with Edo Castle context, photo stops, and a limited snack.
“O palácio em si é simples mas faz parte do que tem pra ver em Tokyo. O que ganhou o dia foi o guia Masa, uma pessoa incrível que nos tratou muito bem, conversou sobre várias coisas, quis saber sobre o Brasil, enfim, uma simpatia. O tour valeu a pena por ele que tornou a…”
A 7-hour Tokyo highlights loop covering Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree, with optional lunch and entry.
“Recomendo vivamente esta Tour para quem queira conhecer o centro da cidade de Tóquio. pois visitamos não só o Santuário Meiji, mas vimos também o Palácio Imperial, Asakusa e subimos, finalmente, com um elevador o Skytree, que apresenta uma visão fantástica sobre a cidade de Tóquio! Ainda bem que comprei também o almoço, incluído na…”
Walk from Imperial Palace East Gardens to Marunouchi and end at Tokyo Station, with an English guide and Edo-era details for $38.
“It was my first visit to the Imperial Palace, and the tour was wonderful. I really had a great time!”
A 2-hour English guided walk through Edo Castle ruins and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, featuring Wadakura Fountain, castle gates, and Ninomaru koi.
“C'était génial !! Nous avons appris plein de choses grâce à Mari san 😌 Nous recommandons cette activité !”
Small-group walking tour of Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens and Edo Castle ruins. Learn samurai and shogunate history with a local guide.
“It was great. We had the guide and a trainee. We got lots of attention.”
Small-group walk from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace and Edo Castle ruins, then Kagurazaka alleys for snacks, shrines, and Shogun stories.
“Our guide. he was incredible. Shuntaro was great fun and knew a lot about everything that we saw, and then some more. We would take another tour with him in an instant. Also, the site was very interesting.”
Walk Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens on an English guided tour, tracing Edo Castle ruins, moats, and the Ninomaru Garden in 90 minutes.
“Molt interessant. El guia, en Jim ha estat molt atent en totes les explicacions. Ens ha ensenyat la història del castell i la de Japó. Es nota la seva passió per la feina. Una activitat molt recomanable.”
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