Central Kyoto - Kyoto - page 161

» Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto gyōen 3
» admission free

» 10min walk from Imadegawa Station, Karasuma subway line

The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho; 京都御所 ) served as the official residence
of the emperor of Japan from the late 12th century until the 19th century and the palace
remains an imperial household property. The park is also home to another walled enclos-
ure known as the Sentō Gosho ( CLICK HERE ).

In spring and autumn, it is possible to enter the palace without reservation. Otherwise,
you can visit the palace as part of a guided tour ( CLICK HERE ). The tour takes about an
hour and covers the various halls inside the palace, including the Shishin-den (Ceremonial
Hall), Ko Gosho (Small Palace), Tsune Gosho (Regular Palace) and Oike-niwa (Pond
Garden). Regrettably, it is forbidden to enter any of these.

The Imperial Palace is surrounded by a spacious park with a welcome landscape of
trees and open lawn - it's Kyoto's very own Central Park. If you're here in early April, do
not miss the wonderful cherry trees at the northern end of the park. These shidare-zakura
(weeping cherry trees) are some of the best in the city.