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Kyoto Imperial Palace
is open to walk-in visitors
all the year round
Admission is free
Registrations or any other prior arrangements are not required

Opening hours
  September & March 9:00 - 15:50 (Last admission) 16:30 (Closing time)
  October - February 9:00 - 15:20 (Last admission) 16:00 (Closing time)
  April - August 9:00 - 16:20 (Last admission) 17:00 (Closing time)
Closed
 
  • Mondays (If a national holiday falls on a Monday, the Palace is open on the holiday and closed the next day, Tuesday).
  • December 28 - January 4
Opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice due to Imperial Court event or any other operational reasons.

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Close

Kyoto Imperial PalaceIntroduction of Court Culture Special Exhibition, Spring 2024

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Kyoto Imperial Palace can be closed unexpectedly due to some reasons such as bad weather conditions, court functions, etc.

Please check here for the latest information.

Kyoto Imperial PalaceIntroduction of Court Culture Special Exhibition, Spring 2024

Wednesday,20 - Sunday,24  March, 2024

9:00a.m.-3:50p.m.(last admission), 4:30p.m.(closing time)

Admission Free

We may restrict entry to the palace grounds due to prevent overcrowding.

For further details.

Entrance Gate
  Seishomon Gate of the Kyoto Imperial Palace
Access  Click here
 
  • No application (no prior arrangement) required.
  • You and your belongings will be subject to security checks at the entry gate.
In addition to self-guided visit, free guided tours are available as follows
  Japanese (4 times) 9:30 10:30 13:30 14:30
  English (2 times) 10:00 14:00    
  Chinese (2 times) 10:00 14:00    
 
  • Anyone can participate in the tour for free. No registration is required.
  • The tour will not take you in the Kyoto Palace.
  • If you wish to participate in the tour, please come to the Visitors Room on the right of the entrance before the tour starts.
  • The duration of the tour is approximately 50 min.
  • Please note that the tours may be subject to change or last minute cancellation.

  • For self-guided visitors, free multi-language (Japanese, English,Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish) audio guide app. is also available.
    Download https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/app.html
Please read the notes below
 
  • None of the palace buildings can be entered.
  • The Palace may be closed without notice due to sudden scheduling of visit of dignitaries or some other reasons.
  • Pets and large baggage cannot be taken into the Palace.
  • For safety and security reasons, a one-way system operates along the visitor route. Please obey the instruction of staff members of the Palace.
  • The following acts are not permitted; smoking, drinking alcohol, eating, using megaphone, carrying signboard propaganda, bringing drones or other objects that may harm to other visitors.
  • You can take photographs. However, using camera stand or other related equipment for commercial filming are not permitted.
  • Using public transport is recommended because parking facilities for car and bicycle are not available.
  • You are advised to wear comfortable shoes, as the visitor route is covered with gravel stones on the ground.
  • Wheelchairs are available. Please ask our staff for assistance at the entrance.
Contact
  Information Desk of Kyoto Office of Imperial Household Agency
Phone No. 075-211-1215    E-mail: kyotosankan-info@kunaicho.go.jp
Office opening hours: 8:40 - 17:00
Closed on: Mondays (If a national holiday falls on a Monday, Information Desk is open on Monday and closed on Tuesday), December 28 - January 4.
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