What makes it 75% Kids-Friendly: Kids can hunt gates, koi and guardhouses, learn Edo history on free tours, and picnic on lawns; absence of playgrounds, long walking loops and limited shade or shelters may exhaust younger visitors.
Why 3-5 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Families can stroll, explore castle ruins, spot koi, and enjoy a picnic at a relaxed pace.
Edo-castle scavenger hunt:
Give kids a list of landmarks to find, like Ōte-mon Gate, Tenshudai, and the stone guardhouse.
Tip: Print or draw a simple checklist to keep them engaged.
Climb Tenshudai viewing platform:
Climb the stone foundations of the former castle tower for a quiet city panorama.
Tip: Bring water and hold younger children’s hands near edges.
Spot koi at Ninomaru Garden:
Let kids watch colorful koi and a small waterfall in the pond.
Tip: Visit mid-morning when fish are most active.
Picnic on the Honmaru lawn:
Spread a blanket on the open grass near the main circle.
Tip: Pack light snacks or rice balls; avoid grills or large gatherings.
Join a volunteer-guided tour:
Take a free 1-hour tour to learn Edo Castle history in simple English.
Tip: Arrive by 11:00 at the main entrance; guides welcome kids’ questions.

s vivekananda
It is a historical garden in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The gardens were first used by the Tokugawa shogunate. The garden was built on the grounds of Edo Castle. The building of the modern gardens began in 1961. The garden is over 210,000 square metres. The garden was completed in 1968. Gardens are well maintained and lovely blooms and manicured trees. Popular place, lots of tourists and locals. P...
Doha Cameron
Perfect place for running and walking or just relaxing. Have been there for a quick walk at night and it was crowded with runners which I personally liked. Went early morning for a run and it was packed with walkers and runners and I enjoyed the walk and scenery. Very nice gardens
Angel de Leon
Expect lots of walking especially since we just went to the free entrance after security. Very serene, but lots of tourists. The shops were cute and there are enough bathrooms everywhere. Overall, if you’re looking for a place to just look at nature amidst this concrete jungle - this is it.
G D
Only the garden around the palace is accessible to the public. It is a very large area, extremely nice to walk around. There are fish in the water surrounding the palace and fruit trees everywhere around the grounds. The whole area is immaculately maintained. On the day of my visit, it was not too crowded thus the long walk was very enjoyable. A bit of a distance from the subway, so prepare for...
Jim C
There are extensive grounds, that are well maintained, that you can walk through. You could easily spend an hour or two just walking the entire grounds. That being said, there are not a lot of flowers in this garden. Our group was kind of looking forward to seeing some flower gardens, but there were no major ones. There are some benches. There are some rest areas near the bathrooms.
In spring (late March–early April), walk under cherry blossoms on Cherry Blossom Island. In autumn (mid-November), see red maples in Ninomaru Grove. Summer mornings offer cool shade near the koi pond. Winter brings fewer crowds—dress warmly.
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| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Packaged snacks | JPY 600 |
| Vending machine drinks | JPY 500 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 1,100 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan
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