J O
Google
Regarding Google's information, I find it very disappointing that the distinction between Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Sento Imperial Palace, and Omiya Imperial Palace is not made at all.
Looking at Google's Kyoto Imperial Palace, many people are uploading photos that mix Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Sento Imperial Palace.
❶ Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a district surrounded by Imadegawa Street to the north, Marutamachi Street to the south, Karasuma Street to the west, and Teramachi Street to the east. It is 700m east to west, 1300m north to south, with a circumference of 4km, and is a national park managed by the Ministry of the Environment.
❷ Kyoto Imperial Palace is a historical and cultural facility within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, managed by the Imperial Household Agency, and is currently open to the public. Before the Meiji Restoration, it was the residence and working place of the Emperor.
❸ Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace and Omiya Imperial Palace are also located within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and are imperial palaces and gardens managed by the Imperial Household Agency, similar to Kyoto Imperial Palace. In the past, Sento Imperial Palace was the residence of retired emperors, and Omiya Imperial Palace was the residence of empress dowagers, but now they are in the same location. The buildings of Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace were destroyed by fire, and now there is a Japanese garden and tea houses, while Omiya Imperial Palace is still used by the Emperor's family as accommodation in Kyoto.
❹ Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace was built in 1630 as the palace of Emperor Gomizuno-o after his abdication, and Omiya Imperial Palace was built to its north for the Empress Tofukumonin, the consort of the retired emperor.
❺ Currently, Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace is open to the public throughout the year, but it is open to introduce the historical and cultural value of the Japanese garden of the imperial court culture, and it is not a commercial tourist facility for profit. Also, although it is open as a Japanese garden, it is important to note that it is not a facility or park for individuals to stroll around freely.
❻ To visit Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace, advance reservations are required, though the admission is free (no payment). The tour is a guided tour of about one hour, and officials of the Imperial Household Agency will guide you through the garden while providing explanations. There are five tour start times: 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. If you are late for the tour time, you might neither enter the palace nor join the tour.
The gate tickets for non-advanced booking visitors are also available in front of the Kyoto Sento Palace in addition to advance reservations. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:40 AM, but the number is limited, so it is better to make a reservation in advance.
For reservation methods and details, please refer to the Imperial Household Agency's website on palace visits. Please be sure to read and understand the terms & conditions for visiting before applying.
Please note that there is an age restriction of 18 years or older due to the various conditions for admission.
For reservations and visits, it is necessary to present ID such as the passport, Japanese Government issued residence card for all visitors.
Visits are closed on Mondays. If Monday is a national holiday, visits will be open, and the following Tuesday will be closed. Also, the second Tuesday of each month is a closed day for visits. Closed for the New Year holidays from December 28 to January 4.
Please note that the palace will also be closed when events are held, so be sure to check the official website for confirmation.
