Since 2008, the Kyoto Imperial Palace has been open to the public without prior application, and a free walking route has been set up in addition to the guided tour (prior application required).

The great advantage of the Kyoto Imperial Palace is its historical value and the fact that it can be visited for free. You can experience that it was once the place where the emperor lived and the center of Japanese history. You can see the places where important ceremonies were held, such as the Shishinden and Seiryoden, up close, and experience the atmosphere of the court culture of the time.

Kyoto Gyoen, which has a vast area, is also popular as a place of relaxation for citizens, and you can enjoy the nature of the four seasons. There are other attractions within the gardens, such as the remains of the Kan'in Palace residence, and you can enjoy walking around for free all day. Another big attraction is that you can now visit without making a special reservation.

[Useful concerns]
Many places cannot be entered inside the building, and the main view is from the outside, so those who want to see the inside in detail may find it disappointing. In addition, the grounds are very vast, so it takes a lot of time and energy to see everything. It is especially important to take care of your health depending on the season, as the sun is strong in the summer and the cold is severe in the winter. There are few restaurants and souvenir shops for tourists in the area, so you will need to plan meals and rest times in advance.