Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御所

Visit of the former residence of the Japanese emperors

Emperors, empresses, princes, and concubines... lived for centuries behind the walls of Kyoto-gosho, the ancient Imperial Palace of Japan. Today, the former palace which housed the Imperial family for 500 years is an indispensable part of Japanese history,  welcoming visitors from around the world! 

 

You can continue to visit it with a route between the different buildings, each one having a specific function. West of the Shishinden, you will see the Seiryoden, the "refreshing room," in which the emperor conducted his affairs. This is also where the Imperial Archives were stored. You can admire the Kogosho, a courtroom rebuilt in 1959 after a fire, but also the Ogakumonsho, which is a study room.

Finally, there are the residences of the imperial family and concubines, but also high-ranking aristocrats and state officials. The entire landscape is decorated with Japanese gardens.

Kogosho

Le Kogosho, salle d'audience du palais

Wikimedia Commons

Kyoto gosho

Le Seiryoden, la "salle rafraichissante"

Wikimedia Commons

Kyoto gosho

Le Shishinden, hall pour les cérémonies

Wikimedia Commons


Address, timetable & access

  • Address

  • Timetable

    Exit at Marutamachi or Imadegawa stations on the Karasuma subway line. Imadegawa station is closest to the Imperial Agency offices.
  • Price

    Free
  • Access

    From October to February, every day from 9 am to 4 pm except Monday From September and March, every day from 9 am to 4.30 pm except Monday From April to August, every day from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday
  • Website

    http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp

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