Imperial Palace - Kyoto, Japan
N 35° 01.425 E 135° 45.730
53S E 569529 N 3875942
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is an Imperial Palace of Japan, though the Emporer of Japan is not in residence. The Emperor has resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace since 1869 and ordered the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1877.
Waymark Code: WM7DGT
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Date Posted: 10/09/2009
Views: 54
Today the grounds of the Palace are open to the public, and the Imperial Household Agency hosts public tours of the buildings several times a day.
The palace is situated in the Kyoto Gyoen, a rectangular enclosure 1.3km north to south and 0.7km east to west, which also contains the Sento Imperial Palace gardens. The Gyoen dates from the early Edo Period (1603-1867) when the residence of high court nobles were grouped close together, with the Palace at its cneter and the entire area walled off. When the capital was moved to Tokyo, the residences of the court nobles were demolished and most of Kyoto Gyoen turned into a park.
The main buildings on the Palace Grounds include, among other halls, the Shishinden (Hall for State Ceremonies), Seiryoden (lit. 'cool, refreshing hall'), Kogosho (Court Room), Ogakumonsho (Imperial Study or Library), and a number of residences for the Empress, high-ranking aristocrats and government officials.
The main gate of the Palace, which is on the south side, has a cypress-wood roof, and is supported by four pillars. This gate would have been used on the rare occasions of the Emperor welcoming a foreign diplomat or dignitary, as well as for many other important ceremonies of the State. To either side of the gate lies a fence separating the inner areas from the general Palace Grounds, and just past this, is a second gate, painted in vermillion and roofed in tile.
This second gate leads to the Shishinden, the Hall for State Ceremonies. The Shishinden was used for such important ceremonies as the coronation of an Emperor and installation of a Crown Prince. On either side of its main stairway were planted trees which would become very famous and sacred, a cherry (sakura) on the eastern, left side, and a tachibana tree on the right to the west.
~~~~ SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN VISITORS ~~~~
Permission is needed to visit the Imperial Palace. Children must be accompanied by an adult (20 years old or over).
Groups must be smaller than 9 per tour. (Larger groups must have separate tour times and must apply for permission in a different way).
Tour Times
10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Apply for permission in person, in advance (at least 20 minutes before the tour time) at the Office.
Passport or Alien Registration needed to enter. Japanese intepreter also need Identification card (ID card).
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays, on other days determined by the Agency, and during Dec. 25 through Jan. 5.
Address and Telephone number:
Imperial Household Agency, Kyoto Office, 3, Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602 Japan. (075)211-1215.
Office hour: 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday (Closed on national holidays).
Please note that making reservations by mail and/or by phone to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace is no longer acceptable.
**The photos provided are used with permission by their owner, and are not those of the waymark owner.**
Accessibility: Partial access
Condition: Intact
Admission Charge?: yes
Website: [Web Link]
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