Kyoto: Imperial Palace & Court Nobles Walking Tour Discount Tickets

Get your discount tickets for the Kyoto: Imperial Palace & Court Nobles Walking Tour, save up to 9% !

Overview

Kyoto Imperial Palace becomes far more meaningful when you understand the world that once surrounded it. Begin at the former site of the Kanin-no-miya residence, where a diorama reveals that today’s open national garden was once a court noble district filled with more than 140 residences. Then cross Kyoto Gyoen and enter the palace, following its progression from formal ceremonial halls to the emperor’s residential spaces and gardens. Rather than simply viewing individual buildings, discover how architecture, rank, and daily life shaped Japan’s imperial court.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Meet outside the Marutamachi Police Box of Nakagyo Police Station, near the southwest corner of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. Do not enter the police box. Your guide will be waiting outside holding a yellow sign. Please check the exact location on the map before the tour.

End Point

End point

The tour ends outside Seishomon Gate after leaving the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds. The gate is located within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, where you may continue exploring independently after the tour.

Language Offered

Japanese-GUIDE

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Visit the former site of the Kanin-no-miya, one of four imperial princely houses historically eligible to provide a successor to the throne. A diorama and concise exhibits reveal how today’s spacious national garden was once occupied by the residences of imperial family members and court nobles.
Duration: 30 mins
2. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Walk through the extensive grounds surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace. Now a public national garden, this area was once a court noble district filled with more than 140 residences, providing an essential link between the Kanin-no-miya site and the Imperial Palace.
Duration: 30 mins
3. Kyoto Imperial Palace
Explore the former residence of Japan’s emperors until Emperor Meiji moved to Tokyo. Follow the palace layout from formal ceremonial halls to residential buildings and gardens, discovering how its architecture expressed imperial authority, court hierarchy, and everyday life.
Duration: 30 mins

Inclusion

Professional local guide

Access to all scheduled sites (admission is free)

Guided walking tour of all scheduled sites

Exclusion

Lunch

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

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

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Supplied by DeepExperience

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