Gosho (Imperial Palace) 御所
The Gosho Imperial Palace was the home of the Emperors of Japan from 794, when Heian (Kyoto) replaced Nara as capital, to 1868, when to capital was moved to Tokyo.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is enclosed by an earthen wall (tsuiji) stretching 450m north-south and 250m east-west. It has 6 gates, including the main gate, Kenreimon. The main buildings are the Shishinden (Ceremonial Hall), Seiryoden (Main Palace), Tsune-Gosho (Regular Palace) and Ko-Gosho (Small Palace). The current buildings date from 1855.
Tours in English are available but reservations are required (see below).
Sento Gosho Imperial Palace 仙洞御所
Inside the Imperial Palace Park, south-east of the Gosho is the Sento Gosho. Tours (in Japanese) are available at 11am and 1:30pm (see below).
Imperial Palace Park 京都御苑運動広場
The Imperial Palace Park is comprised between Marutamachi-dori (south), Karsuma-dori (west), Imadegawa-dori (north) and Teramachi-dori (east) Avenues.
Access is free. Its spaciousness makes it an ideal place for walking, jogging, bicycling or picnicking.
There is a small garden with a pond and a shrine near the Marutamachi entrance.
Tours Reservations
Guided tours in English around the Imperial Palace are available from Monday to Friday from 10am or 2pm, or the third Saturday of the month at 10am (every Saturday in April, May, October and November). It is closed on Sundays, national holidays and from 29 December to 3 January.
The 50min tour starts from the Seishomon Gate and is free. You should arrive atleast 20min before.
You should apply with your passport at the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho), near Imadegawa subway station (open weekdays, 8:45am-12noon and 1pm-4pm). Applicants must be 20 years old or older. Children under 20 must be accompanied by an adult.
Interent reservations are also possible on the Imperial Household Agency's website
How to get there
The nearest subway station is Marutamachi (Karasuma line). The nearest train station is Keihan Marutamachi.
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