[Admission free] Peaceful Edo-castle ruin garden – The East Garden of the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, located near Tokyo Station. Although most of sites are restricted, only this “the East Garden of the Imperial Palace” is open to the public. It’s one of my favorite place to stroll around on the good sunny day with my daughter.

Contents

Feature

As this is part of the Imperial Palace, visiter entrance is controlled. Security staff will check your belongings at the gate.
About 210,000 m² (2,300,000 sq ft) – there are large stone walls, various species of plants include cherry blossoms, and big lawn area. This lawn area was exactly where Edo Shogunate’s house stands, and the center of the Japanese politics in 1603-1868.

There is no playground equipment for kids – finding acorns / flowers / leaves / stones are their nature toys here.
And It is no problem to bring lunch box or snack for picnic. (Official does not say “not allowed”)
But bringing alcohol drinks is prohibited.

If you stroll here with small kids it might take about 1 or 2 hour. Though there are some steep point, mostly baby stroller is easy to go through.

*Date and opening time is limited, please check the latest information from official website.

Location & Entrance

About 5min walk from Otemachi Station. Or 15min walk from Tokyo station.
There are 3 entrance gates —

You can enter/leave from any gate, Admission free.

*No alcohol,No Pet, No bicycle entry allowed.

The East Garden of the Imperial Palace (The Imperial Household Agency official website)

The East Garden of the Imperial Palace (Chiyoda-ku official website)
Address : 1-1, Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google MAP)

Opening date & time

Closed on Monday & Friday, and close early evening.

Please visit official website to check as hours and dates are subject to change.
–> The Imperial Household Agency

Open	March 1 to April 14 : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm April 15 to end of August : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm September 1 to end of September : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm October 1 to end of October : 9:00 am – 4:30 pm November 1 to end of February : 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Close	Mondays / Fridays *The gardens are open to the public on holidays such as National holidays, excluding the Emperor’s Birthday. December 28 to January 3

(Please check official website)

Toilet? Shops?

Diaper changing board is inside the toilet.
There are only 2 small kiosk shops inside the site, simple vending machine & light snacks only. No lunch box or restaurant..

Tips

There are no food shops or restaurant inside the garden, even around the Imperial Palace.
If you plan to relax a while inside this garden, better get some food&drink around the station or from hotel neighbor – before you reach this garden. You will walk a lot inside the gate.

Closest convenience store from Otemon gate : Seven Eleven Palace building store (Link to Google Map)
Good food court for take away near Otemon gate : Marunouchi Bldg, B1F (Link to Google Map)