Kyoto Imperial Palace

Tourist attraction

★ 4.9 (24K+ reviews) • 333K+ booked

Kyoto Imperial Palace, also known as Kyoto Gosho, is a historic landmark in Kyoto, Japan. It sits in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, a big, beautiful park in the middle of the city. It used to be the former ruling palace of the Japanese Imperial Family before they moved the capital to Tokyo in 1869. When you visit, you can stroll through the palace grounds and explore the impressive courtyards. Inside, you can explore the Emperor's Living Quarters, majestic halls used for state ceremonies, and beautiful gardens like the Tachibana Orange Tree Garden. You can also go on a guided tour of the palace, it's a great way to learn about the palace's history, from the Heian period to the Meiji Restoration. Besides its rich history, the palace is one of the best spots in the city to view cherry blossoms in the spring. With its central location near Kyoto Station and other historic sites like Nijo Castle, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is a must-visit destination. It shows off Kyoto's royal past and gives an educational experience in the city.

3 Kyōtogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan

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4.9 /5

24K+ reviews

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Lesly *******

1 Jul

Booked a Ramen Cooking Class here in Kyoto. Mo Mo and Amir were fantastic teachers and very friendly people. Very much enjoyed and HIGHLY recommend for everyone that loves ramen to attend this. Ramen after the class was delcicious! 10/10 recommend!

Mary *****

1 Jul

Such a peaceful and scenic ride—perfect for relaxing and soaking in Arashiyama's natural beauty!

Klook User

30 Jun

The 2 men that taught us the process of making ramen were amazing and so friendly, they made the effort to explain things step by step so it was easy to follow and bonded over anime and ramen. A unique and one of a kind experience, it was just my partner and I which made the experience more private and enjoyable. Time just flew

Sandra ***********

30 Jun

Unfortunately, it rained heavily on the day of travel, but the ride on the Sagano Romantic Train was still unforgettable. The entire train crew bids you a sweet farewell upon departure, and the conductor tells you all about the route. There's a great little museum and café at the station, and all in all, the ride is highly recommended; the river and the forests are beautiful.

클룩 회원

29 Jun

This is my first time writing a review on Klook. I made a reservation at 10 AM on Sunday and went there, but it was quiet and they guided me quickly, so I finished choosing and setting up in 30 minutes. First of all, I liked that they let me store a certain amount of luggage! (We didn't know that and left it in a coin locker at Kyoto Station, but) They also lent me a small pouch bag, so I was able to carry my luggage without any problems. They explained to me well that I should wear a yukata instead of a kimono because the weather was getting warmer, and they only looked at the design ㅋㅋㅋ They kindly explained to me that it would be hot whenever I was choosing a kimono, so I was grateful🥹 Even though my hair was short, they put it up nicely, and they even lent me a fan, which was very useful. (You should bring your own parasol, the sunlight is really hot) Thanks to them, I was able to travel very nicely. I understood what they meant by everyone being kind. They explained everything one by one, and the person who did my hair was especially attentive, so I was really touched... . The hair is amazing... ., This quality for this price, and famous places like Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka are not too far away. 15 minutes on foot? We had a nice yukata and walked around nicely. Oh, and it was nice that there were sizes for men up to 2XL. My boyfriend also wore it in a size that fit him well. Thank you. If I come to Kyoto again, I will definitely choose it again without hesitation!!

Yu ******

29 Jun

Sakura Kimono Store has 2 branches. We went to the wrong one, but the staff was still very polite and let us have a kimono experience there. The weather was very hot, so we chose yukata. The staff who helped us put on the kimono were very nice and helped us choose accessories. They made us look very beautiful/handsome. It is a store worth recommending.

Shen *****

29 Jun

During the 7-day 6-night free travel, I specially arranged a day to sign up for a group tour in Kyoto. The main attractions this time were Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. The overall itinerary was all the attractions I really wanted to visit. I was super nervous before departure, after all, it was my first time traveling in this way, and I wanted to participate selfishly, but in fact I really felt great. The entire time control and itinerary arrangement were all very appropriate. I would like to thank our tour guide Xiao Fu (Alvin) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. During the trip, he explained the history of the attractions in Chinese and English, and shared many recommended restaurants, allowing us to use time quickly and accurately, and he would also remind everyone in the group of the meeting time and place in a timely manner. Our group had a large number of people and we took the bus, but Xiao Fu still cared about everyone's situation, whether there was anything they wanted to eat, etc. He was always willing to help. Especially when my son fell and injured both knees, Xiao Fu immediately went to buy disinfectant and dressings for us. I am really grateful, otherwise we might not be able to have fun. The child felt embarrassed afterwards and wanted to thank this big brother. We returned to Osaka at nearly 6 o'clock and had plenty of time to go shopping. After returning home, everyone felt that they had a fulfilling and happy day.

Klook User

27 Jun

it was just our own group so we were able to go through the tour easily, Naoya-san had some great tidbits of facts regarding Nijo castle.

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Things to do at Kyoto Imperial Palace

Take a Guided Tour

Take a tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace with a guide from the Imperial Household Agency. These tours are full of interesting facts about the palace's history, culture, and buildings. You'll walk through the former ruling palace of Japan, and see places like the Emperor's living quarters.

Visit the Shishinden (Hall for State Ceremonies)

The Shishinden is one of the main buildings where important events like the enthronement ceremonies and other state functions were held. Inside, you can check out the building's amazing architecture and learn about the historical events that happened here. It's a cool way to see what life was like in the Imperial Palace long ago.

Explore the Imperial Palace Gardens

The Imperial Palace Gardens are a must-see. The Japanese garden has flowers that bloom in different seasons, well-kept lawns, and traditional Japanese sights like stone lanterns and bridges. It's a great place for a peaceful walk and to enjoy the natural beauty of Kyoto.

See the Sakura and Tachibana Trees

At the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds, see up close the iconic sakura (cherry blossom) and tachibana orange trees. These trees are not only pretty but also important in history, making the palace even more special.

Must-see Attractions near Kyoto Imperial Palace

Nijo Castle

Just a short distance from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site that lets you see the beauty of the Edo period. You can explore the beautiful gardens, intricate sliding doors, and historic buildings. It's a must-visit to understand more about Japan's samurai history and imperial rule.

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is the perfect place to take a walk. This public park has big grassy areas, ponds, and lots of cherry blossom trees. It's an awesome spot for a picnic or to just relax in nature.

Heian Shrine

Not far from the palace, the Heian Shrine in Kyoto showcases Japan's amazing history. This shrine has a big torii gate, lovely cherry blossoms, and classic Japanese gardens. It's a beautiful and peaceful place to visit after exploring the imperial residence.

Kyoto Imperial Palace