• Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura - As one of the few remaining three-story keeps from the original Edo Castle, this impressive white watchtower exemplifies the height of traditional fortress architecture. Its strategic position at the moat’s corner enabled samurai to oversee the castle’s surroundings, functioning as both a defensive lookout and a secure armory. Today, its radiant white walls reflecting on the water create a stunning contrast with the nearby business district, making it one of the most iconic photo spots within the Imperial Palace grounds.
• Ōte-mon Gate - Once the main entrance of Edo Castle, this historic landmark was the dignified entry point where powerful samurai lords (daimyo) came to meet the Shogun. Today, it serves as the grand gateway to the Imperial Palace East Garden, welcoming visitors with its towering stone walls and impressive traditional architecture. Set against Tokyo’s modern skyscrapers, it offers a perfect photo opportunity where Japan’s feudal past and vibrant present seamlessly converge.
• Hyakunin Bansho Guardhouse - These surviving guardhouses and gate sites reveal the formidable security system of Edo Castle, once patrolled around the clock by elite samurai and legendary units like the “Hundred-Man Guard.” Walking the path from the Doshin Bansho to the inner Chujakumon Gate, visitors encounter massive 45-meter-long barracks and some of the largest stone masonry in the entire castle grounds. Exploring these historic remains allows one to experience the same sense of awe and tension felt by feudal lords centuries ago as they approached the heart of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s power.
• Fujimi-yagura - As the only surviving three-story keep of Edo Castle, this elegant structure served as the castle’s main symbol after the original central tower was lost to fire. Known as the “All-Sides-Front” tower due to its perfectly symmetrical design from every angle, it is famously named for the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji that the Shogun himself once enjoyed from its windows.
• Honmaru Goten Rest House - This meticulously crafted 1:50 scale model recreates the majestic central keep of the Kan’ei era, allowing visitors to admire the intricate gold ornaments and imposing black walls of what was once Japan’s tallest castle tower. It offers a unique opportunity to visualize the legendary stronghold that once dominated the Tokyo skyline as the ultimate symbol of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s power.
• The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle Ruin) - This massive stone platform once supported the tallest castle tower in Japanese history and was a symbol of power that dominated the city’s skyline. After the castle tower was destroyed in a great fire in 1657, the platform remained in its current form. Now used as a scenic spot, it offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views where the castle’s ancient history intertwines with the modern skyscrapers of the Marunouchi district.
• Ninomaru Garden - Reconstructed based on historical blueprints from the Edo period, this traditional “stroll-style” garden offers a serene escape with seasonal flowers and lush landscapes that once graced the Shogun’s secondary residence. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful scenery of colorful koi fish swimming in the central pond and a unique collection of symbolic trees from every prefecture in Japan, making it a perfect sanctuary where history and nature harmoniously intertwine.

• Professional tour guide

• Gratuities
• It is not possible to enter the Inner Palace on this tour.

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East Garden of the Imperial Palace Walking Tour

This tour is ideal for those eager to explore Japan’s charming architecture and stunning natural beauty! Join a knowledgeable guide for an engaging 2-hour tour of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Discover Japanese culture, walk in the footsteps of past emperors, and learn about Japanese history in an enjoyable way. This is more than just a tour; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Japan’s rich heritage. Embark on a journey through time at the Imperial Palace, where history and modernity converge in the heart of Tokyo. Immerse yourself in Japan’s grand past with a peaceful expedition!

Note: The East Garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Entry to the Imperial Palace is not permitted.

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• The tour does not go inside the lmperial Palace.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.