Imperial Palace East Garden and Edo Castle Walking Tour in Tokyo

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Embark on a captivating journey through both ancient and modern Tokyo with our Walking Tour of the Imperial Palace. Discover the historic residence of the Shogun, now home to the Emperor of Japan. Delve into the rich history of the Samurai as you stroll through lush gardens adorned with seasonal flowers. Please note, while we won't enter the Imperial Palace, this tour promises a fascinating exploration of its surroundings.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please note: This tour does not go inside the Imperial Palace buildings, as entry is not permitted to the public. The experience includes the Imperial Palace East Gardens and surrounding grounds, with historical insights and great photo opportunities.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

English speaking Local guide

All Fees and Taxes

Snacks

What To Expect

Wadakura Fountain Park

Wadakura Fountain Park, located near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, is a beautifully designed public space known for its tranquil atmosphere and stunning water features. Originally constructed in 1961 to commemorate the royal wedding of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the park was redesigned and reopened in 1995 to celebrate the wedding of the Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo are a serene escape from the city. Once part of Edo Castle, they feature lush gardens, ponds, and historic ruins. Highlights include the Honmaru area with castle remnants and the Ninomaru Garden for traditional Japanese scenery. Visitors can stroll among cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn, immersing themselves in Japan's feudal history and tranquil beauty.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Imperial Palace East Garden and Edo Castle Walking Tour in Tokyo

Reviews

4.87

481 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

440

Great First Tour for Tokyo
cameronmB3476AH,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was great and the space is enjoyable and lovely. I did this on my first day in Tokyo and the information the guide Loc gave us was a great intro of general Japanese / Tokyo history that helped on every tour I took later.
Great experience
G7169HDpaulm,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Kei was a very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. The tour felt like it was over in much less that two and a half hours.
Interesting and informative
Cress12345,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really enjoyed this tour around the Imperial Palace and gardens. I learned a lot about the Edo time period and the Shoguns. Our tour guide, Kei, did a great job!
Great tour, I would highly suggest
Y558TVvincente,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I enjoyed my time and visit of the Edo castle. I learned a lot as Kei was very informative, she is very friendly also. 10/10 would recommend
Phenomenal tour. Must try!
U8500LHmatthewc,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tour was great and informative! Kei was our tour guide and was very kind. The palace grounds were beautiful as well, including the gardens!
Great Tour, but please provide more details on Viator.
Nathaniel M,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Whoever runs this needs to update the description. This is a MULTI HOUR tour. Do not expect to be done in an hour to an hour and a half. It took almost 2.5 hrs for us which really hurt our schedule. The tour and the guide were great, but providing this info upfront would’ve been considerate (and expected) for the customer.
Excellent guide
Andrea S,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Miko is an outstanding guide. Good English, easy to understand. With photos, she gave the history of the gardens, castle grounds, former castle tower, and more. And she shared her experience as a granddaughter, wife, mother and grandmother in Japan. Very relatable. She welcomed all questions and smiled throughout our 2.5 hour tour. We enjoyed this tour!
Kaz was wonderful,...
Fatima B,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Kaz was wonderful, knowledgeable and great storyteller, although raining she kept us at a nice pace.
Exceptional
Alicia G,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It has been great to know the history of the gardens and its walls. Very interesting We loved it.
Nice gardens and history
514laurenb,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was nice to hear about the history of the castle and Japan’s rulers (Shoguns). Mei, our guide, was easy to understand and very patient with our questions. The Japanese garden was very beautiful. All you see are the grounds and some historical buildings (e.g. guard house), as the actual castle/imperial residence is not visible or open. If you don’t want the history you could just walk into the area for free.