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The park is centered around the palace where emperors have lived for more than 500 years.
The premises has the Kyoto Imperial Palace at the center in which Meiji Emperor lived until he moved to Edo, surrounded by the town where the homes of aristocrats lined up. In Meiji Period, the premises were turned into the Kyoto Gyoen Park. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace are still used by the imperial families.
Kyoto became a capital city when Emperor Kanmu built Heian-kyo in 794. Before then, the imperial palace was further west. It was moved to the current location when Emperor Kogon of the northern kingdom was enthroned in the 13th century. Through the Battle of Onin and passage of time, the palace became dilapidated, then Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi helped repair it. In Edo Period, homes of aristocrats were back in the surrounding neighborhood. The current architecture such as Shishinden Hall was rebuilt at the end of Edo Period according to the ancient style, which has been open to the public since 2016. No need to make a reservation for a tour.
Kyoto Omiya Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial palace were built next to the imperial palace as residences for emperors and empresses. The tour in these halls requires a reservation. although most of the architecture in the palace premises were removed, the aristocrat, Kujo Family’s elegant tea house, Shusui Tei, still remains.
From the front to the back: Kenreimon Gate, the white yard, Shishinden Hall. The imperial family’s residences in the rear ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office
Shishinden where Emperors Meiji, Taisho and Showa were enthroned ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office
Seisho-mon gate, used for kitchen needs, is now a gate into the palace for tourists ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office
Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace has a beautiful garden with a bridge and tea house ©Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office
Shusui Tei and Kujo Pond estimated to have been built in late Edo Period ©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office
Hamaguri-gomon Gate, opened for the first time during the big fire in Edo Period ©Ministry of the Environment, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Office
Some reviews are AI-translated.
When I arrived at Kyoto Gyoen, my first thought was, “It’s so big and so relaxing!” The vast green spaces and tall trees immediately make you feel far away from the bustle of downtown Kyoto. Walking along the wide paths, you occasionally come across historic buildings and garden scenery, and the whole atmosphere is very laid-back.
This area used to be the imperial district surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but now it’s a park where anyone can take a walk or relax. Without the pressure of rushing through an itinerary, you can walk slowly and take in the scenery, which makes it easier to appreciate Kyoto’s unique history and tranquility.
Kyoto Gyoen is located in central Kyoto and is much larger than I imagined, with broad tree-lined paths, lawns, and straight roads crisscrossing the grounds. Most of the main paths are gravel, giving a distinct sense of the ancient capital. The area was once home to the Imperial Family and the residences of court nobles, and it bears important witness to Kyoto’s long history as Japan’s political and cultural center.
The highlight is the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where generations of emperors once lived and held important ceremonies. The different buildings are not just beautiful on the outside; each palace, hall, and residence served a different purpose, from formal court ceremonies and receiving guests to the daily lives of the emperor and members of the Imperial Family. You can see the carefully planned spaces of Japanese court life. I recommend taking a guided tour to explore it more thoroughly and fully enjoy the visit.
Kyoto Imperial Palace no longer requires advance reservations and admission is free. If you want to join an official guided tour, you just need to gather at the visitors' lounge at the designated time. Bags are inspected before entry, and overall security is quite strict.
The palace itself is actually not as ornate as you might imagine. If you're expecting a lavish palace, Nijo Castle may be closer to what you have in mind. What really matters about Kyoto Imperial Palace is its buildings, such as the Shishinden and Seiryoden, and its history as the longtime residence of the emperor and a venue for important ceremonies. Inside the Shishinden are the Takamikura throne used for enthronement ceremonies and the Michodai throne for the empress. In front of the hall are the iconic Sakon cherry tree and Ukon tachibana tree, though visitors are kept at a distance and can only view them from outside.
What I found most interesting about Kyoto Imperial Palace was the layout of the space itself and its sense of history. Some of the sliding doors and wall paintings are also very intricate. However, if you're simply comparing architectural details or gardens, Kyoto has quite a few places with more to see. For gardens, I would recommend Katsura Imperial Villa more.
If you want to experience buildings related to the imperial family up close, I would actually highly recommend Daikakuji Temple near Arashiyama. It was formerly the Saga Imperial Palace and also has buildings relocated from Kyoto Imperial Palace, and you can view them from much closer than at Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Overall, what makes Kyoto Imperial Palace special is its historical significance rather than its splendor. If you're already interested in Japan's imperial family, court system, or traditional architecture, it's still worth a visit.
Finally made it to Shomeimon Gate~~~!
The imperial palace gardens are huge, and every area is really well maintained and clean.
