Tokyo Imperial Palace: Explore Edo Castle Ruins

Explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace with an expert guide. Discover samurai tales, historic ruins, and serene gardens on this immersive 2-hour walking tour.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura - Also known as Sakurada Nijū Yagura, this historic two-story watchtower is situated within the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo. Constructed during the Edo period, it stands as one of the few remaining structures of the original Edo Castle, showcasing Japan’s feudal heritage.
    Located at the southeast corner of the former…
What's Included
  • Insights into the history of the samurai and the development of Tokyo
  • View a miniature reconstruction of the former Edo Castle palace
  • Guided walking tour within the Imperial Palace grounds and the East Gardens
  • Encounter unique koi from different regions of Japan and a variety of trees
Additional Information

Embark on a journey into the heart of Tokyo and explore the rich history of the Imperial Palace with this 1.5-hour engaging walking tour. Guided by a professional, this tour leads you through the tranquil Imperial Palace East Gardens, which were once part of the historic Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Stroll along the beautifully…

Location
Starbucks Coffee - Kokyo Gaien Wadakura Fountain Park
Our guide is standing in front of Starbucks. They are holding a signboard for our inbound tour service “YURAGI,” so please use that as a reference point to meet up. If you have trouble finding them, you can contact the guide directly via WhatsApp or phone.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(35 Ratings)
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Rossbx6148ei
Feb 23, 2026
Excellent tour. - Guide Hina. Very knowledgeable and informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emilyrb9138le
Feb 22, 2026
Would highly recommend! - My family and I had a wonderful time and learned so much! Taku and Ken were so knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Imperial Palace, we all felt that we got so much more out of our visit than we would have just exploring on our own. Their insights were unmatched!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Staceytl8004wn
Feb 5, 2026
Great tour! - Very friendly and personable guide. It was a great experience! Would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edward
Feb 1, 2026
Informative and engaging - Even though the palace was closed Sofi made the tour very interesting and informative. She was very helpful with details about Tokyo
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W511kajamesw
Jan 10, 2026
Tour and Guide were fantastic! - We had a fantastic time on this tour. Hiroshi was excellent, his English was perfect and he was both knowledgeable and personable. We would recommend this to anyone visiting Japan. 10/10!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O2575lumelg
Jan 10, 2026
An informative tour - We had a great tour with Taku, and learned a lot of interesting history. My son uses a wheelchair and we were able to take a route with the wheelchair that worked well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ogfromus
Dec 20, 2025
Lovely tour, good fit for a family - Fantastic tour with our knowledgeable and super-pleasant guide Muto Hina gave us a peak into the Edo period of Japanese history. Comfortable walking pace among gardens and ponds allowed for quiet reflection. We really enjoyed our time at the Imperial Palace!
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L4401ysalessandran
Dec 11, 2025
Enriching guide to a very small group - We spent with Hina two extremely pleasant hours. Having had his guide dedicated only to our small group (4 people) was a great added value that allowed us to deepen not only issues related to our visit, but also to benefit from a human contact and cultural exchange that, in the trip, are always moments of great enrichment. Hina is a trained guide, very attentive and of great delicacy of mind, but also very helpful. Experience absolutely recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raissacsiy
Dec 8, 2025
A perfect stroll through history and beautiful foliage - Stepping into the Imperial Palace East Gardens in December is like entering a serene, historical sanctuary. This tour offers a relaxed yet deeply informative experience, providing a captivating glimpse into Japan's rich imperial history juxtaposed with the stunning beauty of the winter foliage. Our guide, Takumi, is truly exceptional. He is a fascinating individual with a wide breadth of global travel and a nuanced understanding of various cultures and viewpoints. This makes his explanations incredibly engaging and easy to relate to, regardless of your background. The journey begins with an insightful introduction to the palace's history. As you pass through the entrance, Takumi transforms the grounds into a living narrative. He expertly shares intriguing stories, fascinating small details, and illuminates how the traditions of Japanese culture from the past continue to beautifully resonate in the modern era. This is an essential tour for anyone seeking to understand the heart of Japan's heritage and enjoy a moment of tranquil beauty right in the center of Tokyo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alandv6282iw
Dec 1, 2025
Excellent for a fresh experience - Takumi was very fun to have showing around the area has a while history chart to show for it and explains very well the goat
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $27
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).