Kyoto Gyoen

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Kyoto Gyoen

The park is centered around the palace where emperors have lived for more than 500 years.

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The premises has the Kyoto Imperial Palace at the center in which Meiji Emperor lived until he moved to Edo, surrounded by the town where the homes of aristocrats lined up. In Meiji Period, the premises were turned into the Kyoto Gyoen Park. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace are still used by the imperial families.

Kyoto became a capital city when Emperor Kanmu built Heian-kyo in 794. Before then, the imperial palace was further west. It was moved to the current location when Emperor Kogon of the northern kingdom was enthroned in the 13th century. Through the Battle of Onin and passage of time, the palace became dilapidated, then Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi helped repair it. In Edo Period, homes of aristocrats were back in the surrounding neighborhood. The current architecture such as Shishinden Hall was rebuilt at the end of Edo Period according to the ancient style, which has been open to the public since 2016. No need to make a reservation for a tour.

Kyoto Omiya Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial palace were built next to the imperial palace as residences for emperors and empresses. The tour in these halls requires a reservation. although most of the architecture in the palace premises were removed, the aristocrat, Kujo Family’s elegant tea house, Shusui Tei, still remains.

Highlights

  • Touring Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace requires a reservation. Follow the tour guide.
  • Shishinden at Kyoto Imperial Palace was used for important official ceremonies such as the enthronement of an emperor.
  • Besides the architecture, lots to see such as the pond and the bridge.

Photos

  • From the front to the back: Kenreimon Gate, the white yard, Shishinden Hall. The imperial family’s residences in the rear 
©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

    From the front to the back: Kenreimon Gate, the white yard, Shishinden Hall. The imperial family’s residences in the rear ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

  • Shishinden where Emperors Meiji, Taisho and Showa  were enthroned
©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

    Shishinden where Emperors Meiji, Taisho and Showa were enthroned ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

  • Seisho-mon gate, used for kitchen needs, is now a gate into the palace for tourists
©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

    Seisho-mon gate, used for kitchen needs, is now a gate into the palace for tourists ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

  • Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace has a beautiful garden with a bridge and tea house
©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

    Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace has a beautiful garden with a bridge and tea house ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office

  • Shusui Tei and Kujo Pond estimated to have been built in late Edo Period
©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office

    Shusui Tei and Kujo Pond estimated to have been built in late Edo Period ©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office

  • Hamaguri-gomon Gate, opened for the first time during the big fire in Edo Period
©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office

    Hamaguri-gomon Gate, opened for the first time during the big fire in Edo Period ©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office

Reviews

5
  • 黃承明

    承明門,終於來了~~~!

  • 孫玲

    超大的皇宮庭園,各個地方都弄得很整齊乾淨。

  • Diana Lee

    日本天皇在京都的住所,採取開放式管理一般人都可入場。

  • 陳子安

    好大的一個地方,走了兩三個小時都還沒有完整逛完,下次有機會再來。

  • Sieńko Chen

    京都櫻花開的很美的場所,枝垂櫻特別漂亮。

Details

Name in Japanese
京都御苑
Postal Code
602-0881
Address
Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone
075-211-6364 (Kyoto Imperial Palace: 075-211-1215, Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office, Tour Department)
Closed
Open every day (Kyoto Imperial Palace: closed on Mondays. If it falls on a holiday, the following Tuesday. Event days, December 24 - January 4)
Hours
24 hours
(Kyoto Goshho: April-August 9am-5pm, March/September 9am-4:30pm, October -February 9am-4pm. Entry allowed until 40 minutes before closing)
*For info on Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace tour, check the Imperial Household website
Admission
Free (Shusui Tei 100 yen)
Directions
(1) From Kyoto City Subway, Karasuma Line, Imadegawa Station, walk 5 min.
(2) From Keihan Oto Line, Jingu-Marutamachi Station, walk 15 min.
Official Website
Kyoto Gyoen (English),
Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace (Japanese)