For Visitors

Prior Registrations differ according to locations. Select a location from below.

The Imperial Palace

Guided Tour of the Imperial Palace (Free of charge)

Generally conducted twice a day in the morning and in the afternoon.

Prior Registration

Morning tour

9:00 am
Numbered tickets will be distributed
9:30 am
Registration starts
10:00 am
Tour starts
11:15 am
Tour ends

Afternoon tour

12:30 pm
Numbered tickets will be distributed
1:00 pm
Registration starts
1:30 pm
Tour starts
2:45 pm
Tour ends

What to bring: a valid form of identification

Participants will be asked to present a valid form of identification, such as passports, residence cards, or driver’s license. Photocopied IDs are not accepted.

Prior registration

Walk-in Application

  • Bring a valid form of identification outside the Kikyo-mon gate of the Imperial Palace.
  • Numbered tickets will be distributed one hour prior to the starting time of the tour.

Take one ticket per person.
Following the entry at the Kikyo-mon gate, you will be asked to fill in an application form.

No tours are given on the following days and times (calendar)

  • Sundays
  • Mondays
  • National Holidays (except when a holiday falls on a Saturday)
  • Afternoons from July 21 to August 31
  • From December 28 to January 4
  • Any day or time of the day when Imperial Court functions are scheduled or other unavoidable circumstances occur.

Capacity

Walk-in: 300 persons per tour on a first-come basis; numbered tickets will be issued
Prior registration: 200 persons per tour (1 group should not exceed 50 persons )
※Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Groups (less than 10 persons) of junior or senior high school students with applications from their schools may be allowed to participate.

guide app The free Audio Guide app

The following persons will not be permitted to participate in the tour or enter the Palace Grounds

  • Persons who are heavily drunk and/or behave in ways deemed harmful to others
  • Persons deemed to potentially cause discomfort or nuisance to others
  • Persons accompanied by animals (excluding assistance dogs for persons with disabilities)
  • Persons carrying dangerous articles such as knives, small unmanned aircraft systems, or other objects that may cause harm to other visitors
  • Persons deemed to cause a hindrance to the tour

Kyoto Imperial Palace

  • Kyoto Imperial Palace is open to the public all year round.  No prior registration needed.
  • Admission is free. 
  • You and your belongings will be subject to security checks at the entry gate.

Opening hours

Apr.― Aug.
9:00 - 16:20 (Last Admission)      17:00 (Closing Time)
Sept. & Mar.
9:00 - 15:50 (Last Admission)      16:30 (Closing Time)
Oct.― Feb.
9:00 - 15:20 (Last Admission)      16:00 (Closing Time)

Closed

Mondays (Tuesday if a holiday falls on a Monday)
December 28th to January 4th
※Opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice due to Imperial Court events or any other operational reasons.
→Please check calendar

Free guided tours are scheduled at

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

(Duration approximately 50 min.)

  • No prior registration needed.
  • Meeting point for the tour --- Visitors Room (on the right side of the entry gate)
  • Please note that none of the buildings can be entered.

Access

  • Karasuma Line, Kyoto City Subway: 5 minutes from Imadegawa Station
  • Kyoto City Bus: 5 minutes from Karasuma-Imadegawa bus stop
  • Keihan Railway: 20 minutes from Demachiyanagi Station

guide app The free Audio Guide app

Note

  1. Pets and large baggage cannot be taken into the Palace.
  2. 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.
  3. You can take photographs. However, using camera stand or other related equipment for commercial filming are not allowed.
  4. Wheelchairs are available. Please ask our staff for assistance at the entrance.

Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace

  • Admission is free.
  • Visiting the palace requires joining a Japanese guided tour. 
  • Audio guide (English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish) is available free of charge.
  • Visitors must be 18 years old or older.

Prior Registration

Capacity:

Walk in --- On a first-come-first-served basis. Limited availability, with a maximum number of 35 persons for each tour.

Tours are available at 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30. (Duration approximately 60 min.)

Prior registration（Advance application）
     →For details, click here

Directions for walk in registration:

  • Registration starts at 11:00 AM at the North Gate of Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace.
  • Main applicant may add up to 3 accompanying persons. A maximum of 4 persons including the main applicant may apply at one time if there is an opening.
  • Full name, passport number, age, gender and nationality of main applicant and accompanying persons are required to register.
  • ID for the main applicant is required to register. IDs for all the participants are required at the door when entering.
  • Main applicant must apply in person. Proxy application is not acceptable.
  • No tours on the following days
    Mondays (Tuesday if a holiday falls on a Monday)
    December 28th to January 4th
    ※Opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice due to Imperial Court events or any other operational reasons.
         →Please check calendar

Access

  • Karasuma Line, Kyoto City Subway: 15 minutes from Marutamachi Station
  • Kyoto City Bus: 10 minutes from Furitsuidai-byoin-mae bus stop
  • Keihan Railway: 20 minutes from Jingu-Marutamachi Station

Note

  1. Pets and large baggage cannot be taken into the Palace.
  2. The following acts are not permitted: smoking, eating, using megaphone, carrying signboard propaganda, bringing drones or other objects that may harm to other visitors.
  3. You can take photographs. However, using camera stand or other related equipment for commercial filming are not allowed.

Katsura Imperial Villa

  • Visiting the villa requires joining a Japanese guided tour (duration: one hour)
  • Audio guide (English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish) is available free of charge.
  • Visitors must be at least 12 years old (junior high school age) or older.

Prior Registration

Admission fee is charged as follows.

  • 18 years old or older ---1,000 yen
  • 12 years old - 17 years old ---admission is free
  • Visitors who have a physical disability certificate --- admission is free (One attendant who assists the visitor --- admission is free.)

The admission fee will be charged at the reception desk of the villa. The following payment methods are accepted: cash, credit cards, and e-money.
→For details, click here.

The admission fee is non-refundable.

Capacity:

  • Walk in --- On a first-come-first-served basis.  Limited availability, with a maximum number of 20 persons for each tour.
  • Tours are available at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00. (Duration approximately 60 min.)
  • Prior registration（Advance application）
         →For details, click here

Directions for Walk in registration:

  • Registration starts at 8:40 AM at the Katsura Imperial Villa.
  • Main applicant may add up to 3 accompanying persons. A maximum of 4 persons including the main applicant may apply at one time if there is an opening.
  • Full name, passport number, age, gender and nationality of main applicant and accompanying persons are required to register.
  • ID for the main applicant is required to register. IDs for all the participants are required at the door when entering.
  • Main applicant must apply in person. Proxy application is not acceptable.
  • No tours on the following days
    Mondays (Tuesday if a holiday falls on a Monday)
    December 28th to January 4th
    ※Opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice due to Imperial Court events or any other operational reasons.
    →Please check calendar

Access

  • Hankyu Railway: 20 minute from Katsura Station
  • Keihan Kyoto Kotsu Bus: 8 minute from Katsura-rikyu-mae bus stop

Note

  1. Pets and large baggage cannot be taken into the Palace.
  2. The following acts are not permitted: smoking, eating, using megaphone, carrying signboard propaganda, bringing drones or other objects that may harm to other visitors.
  3. You can take photographs. However, using camera stand or other related equipment for commercial filming are not allowed.

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

  • Admission is free.
  • Visiting the villa requires joining a Japanese guided tour. 
  • Audio guide (English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish) is available free of charge.
  • Visitors must be 18 years old or older.

Prior Registration

Capacity:

  • Walk in --- On a first-come-first-served basis.  Limited availability, with a maximum number of 35 persons for each tour.
  • Tours are available at 13:30 and 15:00. (Duration approximately 80 min.)
  • Prior registration（Advance application）
         →For details, click here

Directions for Walk in registration:

  • Registration starts at 11:00 AM at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
  • Main applicant may add up to 3 accompanying persons. A maximum of 4 persons including the main applicant may apply at one time
  • Full name, passport number, age, gender and nationality of main applicant and accompanying persons are required to register.
  • ID for the main applicant is required to register. IDs for all the participants are required at the door when entering. 
  • Main applicant must apply in person. Proxy application is not acceptable.
  • No tours on the following days
    Mondays (Tuesday if a holiday falls on a Monday)
    December 28 to January 4
    ※Opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice due to Imperial Court events or any other operational reasons.
         →Please check calendar

 

Access

  • Eizan Railway: 20 minute from Shugakuin Station
  • Kyoto City Bus: 15 minute from Shugakuin-rikyu-michi bus stop

Note

  1. Pets and large baggage cannot be taken into the Palace.
  2. The following acts are not permitted: smoking, eating, using megaphone, carrying signboard propaganda, bringing drones or other objects that may harm to other visitors.
  3. You can take photographs. However, using camera stand or other related equipment for commercial filming are not allowed.

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