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Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family
Product code 5630772P2
From
From JPY 4,000
Dates
Mar 1, 2027 to May 31, 2027
Start times
12:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 9:40 AM, 12:30 PM
Travelers
Infant ages 0-5, Child ages 6-12, Youth ages 13-17, Adult ages 18-64, Senior ages 65-99
Options
Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family
Availability, payment, cancellation, and vouchers are completed on Viator after you leave this page.
Duration
1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Booking, payment, cancellation, and vouchers continue on Viator.
From
From JPY 4,000
Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family





View all photos
















Duration
1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Why Travelers Love This
Hi guys! I’m Yuki.I’ve been running walking tours for over a year now. I studied education at Meiji University and have a junior high school social studies teaching license. I also worked in Vancouver, Canada for about a year and a half. If you just walk around here, it’s honestly hard to know what you’re looking at. I’ll break down who the Emperor is, why this place matters, and how Japanese people see the Emperor today. We’ll take a walk through the Imperial Palace area, which used to be Edo Castle. I’ll share easy stories about samurai life, castle defenses, and things like watchtowers and moats. We’ll also visit some popular Japanese gardens. They’re great for photos, and there’s a small model of the old castle that helps you picture what this place looked like back in the day. I recently launched this tour, so there aren’t many reviews yet—that’s why I’ve kept the price a bit lower. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of guiding experience, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tour!
Overview
Hi guys! I’m Yuki.I’ve been running walking tours for over a year now. I studied education at Meiji University and have a junior high school social studies teaching license. I also worked in Vancouver, Canada for about a year and a half. If you just walk around here, it’s honestly hard to know what you’re looking at. I’ll break down who the Emperor is, why this place matters, and how Japanese people see the Emperor today. We’ll take a walk through the Imperial Palace area, which used to be Edo Castle. I’ll share easy stories about samurai life, castle defenses, and things like watchtowers and moats. We’ll also visit some popular Japanese gardens. They’re great for photos, and there’s a small model of the old castle that helps you picture what this place looked like back in the day. I recently launched this tour, so there aren’t many reviews yet—that’s why I’ve kept the price a bit lower. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of guiding experience, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tour!
What's Included
Included
Entrance fee
Restroom on board
a sour Japanese candy made with pickled plum
Not included
Meals
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
The meeting point is Wada Fountain Plaza, right in front of Starbucks. When you arrive at Wada Fountain Plaza, look for the fountain in the open square. You’ll see a Starbucks next to the fountain. Please wait in front of Starbucks, near the fountain.
End point
The tour will end in one of the public areas within the Imperial Palace grounds.
Itinerary
Stop 1
1 hour 40 minutes
Stop 1
During the walk, you’ll visit yagura watchtowers, old castle grounds, beautiful gardens, and even a small souvenir area. Along the way, your guide explains how the yagura and moats worked together to protect the castle. These details help you see that the landscape isn’t just beautiful—it was carefully designed for defense. The Imperial Palace is still where the Emperor of Japan lives today. While you can’t enter the palace buildings, this tour focuses on walking through the areas that are open to the public. It’s a rare chance to explore such an important place on foot, right in the heart of Tokyo. You’ll also enjoy peaceful Japanese gardens and see a miniature scale model of the old castle, which makes it easy to imagine what the area looked like in the past. It’s a great visual highlight and a perfect moment to slow down and take photos.
Stop 2
10 minutes
Stop 2
“This Ōtemon Gate area was an important place the shogun used.”
Additional Info
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller Accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants Must Sit On Laps
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation Wheelchair Accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Surfaces Wheelchair Accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
No Back Problems
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
No Heart Problems
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Physical Easy
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
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