Tokyo Imperial Palace Shogun Historical Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Step into Shogun’s world, where his ambition shaped the foundations of modern Japan!
See how Japan became the country it is today as you explore the Eastern Gardens with our English speaking guide!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Great Photo Spots!
Guided walking tour Explaining the History of Japan
Beautiful Garden
One of a kind Royal Koi Fish
Guide who can help with other travel tips (should you need)
Bamboo Forrest
Interactive and friendly English Speaking Guide
Access to the Inner Palace (note: not open to the public)
What To Expect
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin
Begin your walking tour by meeting your guide at starbucks in the Wadakuramon park! Together, stroll toward the grand main gate (otemon) of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. As you step through, follow your guide on a captivating journey, circling the palace grounds/eastern garden! (The actual main castle does not exist anymore..BUT for a very good reason your guide will tell you all about on the tour! You will also get to see a miniature structure of how the palace used to look like in the past as well) Explore the history embedded in old soldier barracks, encounter special koi fish, and marvel at trees brought from various prefectures of Japan. Delight in the serenity of the palace while gaining insights into its past, including a visit to the old base where the palace once stood over 350 years ago. While the palace can be tricky to navigate, your guide will ensure you don’t get lost and help you take photos throughout the tour :)
Wadakura Fountain Park
Begin your walking tour by meeting your guide at starbucks in the Wadakuramon park! Together, stroll toward the grand main gate (otemon) of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. As you step through, follow your guide on a captivating journey, circling the palace grounds/eastern garden! (The actual main castle does not exist anymore..BUT for a very good reason your guide will tell you all about on the tour! You will also get to see a miniature structure of how the palace used to look like in the past as well) Explore the history embedded in old soldier barracks, encounter special koi fish, and marvel at trees brought from various prefectures of Japan. Delight in the serenity of the palace while gaining insights into its past, including a visit to the old base where the palace once stood over 350 years ago. While the palace can be tricky to navigate, your guide will ensure you don’t get lost and help you take photos throughout the tour :)
Options
Tokyo: Imperial Palace // A Walk Through Japanese History
Reviews
158 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Joe was Great
lukerU2561EA,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe was great - I would definitely recommend this tour. He was very interesting and insightful - also gave lots of tips for Tokyo which was ace
Walking tour Imperial Palace
alicefR2022TU,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe was fab - would highly recommend! Very insightful tour, super friendly and gave lots of good recommendations for places to visit in Tokyo!
Our morning with Joe at the imperial i on alace
E81OFgillianr,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were met by Joe our guide and he immediately made us all feel very relaxed with his friendly manner. He was very knowledgable about the imperial palace and the history of the emperors and shoguns. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole morning with Joe and would highly recommend him for future visitors. At the end of the tour Joe gave us lots of advice and tips for the rest of our stay in Tokyo aswell as for Kyoto and Osaka where we are heading to next. A wonderful young man and all round helpful and friendly tour guide.
Joe is great
williamrM7740XK,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe was great. Friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer and give advice on everything outside of imperial palace. Great guy. The Manchester Folk
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
David R,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic guided tour by Joe at the Imperial Palace today. A great mix of the historical and modern, from a guy from thoroughly immersed in Japanese culture. Would recommend without hesitation. A wonderful couple of hours. Keep up the great work.
A great tour!
amyrP9988BB,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Joe was a great guide. He was very informative and knowledgable. I would 100% recommend Joe! (Our tour was on 02/11/2025
Great tour !
751jeanclaudev,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide Alexandre gave us a great English language tour of the imperial palace, spicing up his story with lots of fascinating details about Japanese history, culture & customs. We very much enjoyed it. - Jean-Claude & Virginie
Highly recommend our tour guide!
Wanderer260688,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shin is an outstanding tour guide. His English is excellent, and we had no difficulty understanding him, thanks to his experience living in Denver and Australia. He was exceptionally thorough and provided fascinating insights into the historical relationship between the Emperor and the Shogun in Japan. Shin was extremely courteous, friendly, and highly knowledgeable, making our tour both educational and enjoyable. The tour took about 2.5 hours.
We walked around the all the areas listed on the check list and received a lot of cool information!
624theodores,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 2 hour walking tour was a lot of fun! A lot of cool information about the history of the grounds. Mayu was the tour guide and she was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Very nice tour!
LucaM4765,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did the Imperial Palace tour with Natsumi, and it was a great time! She was super nice and really knowledgeable. These kinds of tours make you appreciate the place even more. Totally recommend it! Thanks Natsumi
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