Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace stand on the old center of Edo Castle, a short walk from Tokyo Station. Entry is free and you do not need to book. This page covers the gardens only: how to get in, what to see inside and how to walk them. For the guided tour of the inner palace grounds, see our Imperial Palace guide.
Quick facts
| Admission | Free. No reservation needed |
| Opening hours | From 9:00. Closing time changes with the season, from 16:00 in winter to 18:00 in summer (see the table below) |
| Closed | Every Monday and Friday, December 28 to January 3, and days of Imperial Court events. Open on a national holiday that falls on a Monday or Friday (except February 23); when a holiday falls on a Monday, the gardens close on the Tuesday after |
| Gates | Ote-mon (the main gate), Hirakawa-mon and Kitahanebashi-mon. You can enter and leave by any of them |
| Nearest station | Otemachi Station (several subway lines) for Ote-mon Gate |
| Bags | Bags are checked at the entrance. Bring as little as possible |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
Opening hours by season
| Period | Open | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 – April 14 | 9:00 – 17:00 | 16:30 |
| April 15 – August 31 | 9:00 – 18:00 | 17:30 |
| September | 9:00 – 17:00 | 16:30 |
| October | 9:00 – 16:30 | 16:00 |
| November 1 – end of February | 9:00 – 16:00 | 15:30 |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Check the official calendar before you go, because the gardens can also close for Imperial Court events.
How to get in
- Pick a gate. Ote-mon is the main gate and the closest to Otemachi Station. Hirakawa-mon and Kitahanebashi-mon are the other two gates.
- Expect a bag check. Staff inspect bags at the entrance. Leave large luggage in a station locker or at your hotel.
- No ticket, no booking. Entry is free, so you can simply walk in during opening hours.
- Download the free audio guide app. The Imperial Household Agency offers an audio guide app that explains the sights as you walk.
What to see in the East Gardens
The names below follow the official map of the gardens.
- Tenshudai: the stone base of the Edo Castle keep, the tower that once stood at the heart of the castle.
- Honmaru: the site of the castle’s main compound, with a resting place that has an exhibition about Edo Castle.
- Guardhouses: the Hyakunin Bansho, Doshin Bansho and Obansho guardhouses, where the castle guards once kept watch.
- Fujimi-yagura: one of the castle’s turrets (yagura).
- Ninomaru Garden: a Japanese garden. Nearby are the Suwa no Chaya teahouse, an iris garden and the Ninomaru woods.
- Seasonal flowers: the official flower calendar lists what is in bloom through the year.
Tips for your visit
- Time needed: we suggest at least an hour to walk from Ote-mon up to the Tenshudai and back through the Ninomaru Garden. Add time if you visit the museum.
- Arrive early in winter. From November to February, last entry is 15:30.
- Check the day. Monday and Friday closures catch many visitors. On a national holiday, the gardens are usually open even on those days.
- Museum near Ote-mon: the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, shows art passed down through the Imperial Family. It needs its own ticket and is open 9:30 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30). Check its site for prices and closed days.
Getting there
- Otemachi Station (several subway lines) is the closest station to Ote-mon Gate, the main entrance.
- Tokyo Station: walk from the Marunouchi side toward the palace and Ote-mon Gate.
- Address: 1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo.
Combine the gardens with the rest of the area using our Ginza and Tokyo Station guide.
FAQ
Is the Imperial Palace East Gardens free?
Yes. Entry is free and you do not need a reservation or a ticket.
When are the East Gardens closed?
Every Monday and Friday, from December 28 to January 3, and on days of Imperial Court events. They open on national holidays that fall on those days, except February 23. When a holiday falls on a Monday, they close on the Tuesday after.
What time do the East Gardens open?
At 9:00. Closing time is 16:00 from November to February and up to 18:00 from April 15 to August 31. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Which gate should I use?
Ote-mon, the main gate near Otemachi Station, is the easiest. You can also use Hirakawa-mon or Kitahanebashi-mon, and you can leave by a different gate.
Can I see the inside of the Imperial Palace from the East Gardens?
No. The East Gardens are a separate public area. To see the inner palace grounds, join the free guided tour described in our Imperial Palace guide.
Keep reading
Sources
This page is based on the official information below, not on our own visit. Last checked: November 2026. Facts last checked against official sources on November 11, 2026. Hours and closed days can change, so please check before you go.
