Kyoto Imperial Palace (with kids)

The Kyōto Imperial Palace (京都御所) is the former palace of the Emperors of Japan. Since the Meiji Restoration in 1869, the Emperors have resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The palace served as the imperial residence for centuries, particularly during Kyoto's time as the capital. Visiting the palace grounds is free, though guided tours may be available with reservations. Visitors can freely explo...

Visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace was like stepping into a different era — a beautifully preserved glimpse into Japan’s imperial history. The architecture is stunning, with its elegant simplicity and harmonious layout that perfectly reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics. The guided tour was informative without being overwhelming, offering insight into the cultural and political importance of t...

Peaceful and relaxing for nature lover. Old pine trees and elegant architecture of the palace is perfect scenery. Tourist supports are well-thought with many resting point area, english explaining signs, audio guide, english version map and helpful staffs. I absolutely enjoyed my time here.

The grounds of the Imperial Palace are huge, and the architecture is amazing. You can take a guided tour, but we opted to wander about ourselves. The beautiful gardens are absolutely immaculate and stunning. No entry fee makes this a fantastic place to visit.

Free to enter, audio guide throughout the palace, and interesting historical background. My leisurely self-guided tour took me about 40 minutes. It's not as picturesque as some other places in Kyoto, but if you like history you'll like it. It's also an interesting contrast to Nijo castle nearby.