Landmark
Kyoto Imperial Palace
京都御所
The residence of the imperial family until 1868, set inside Kyoto Gyoen park. The grounds and gardens can be visited without a reservation; the buildings are viewed from outside.
Key facts
- Station
- Imadegawa (Karasuma Line)7 min walk
- Admission
- Free entry
- Typical visit
- 1 h
- Hours
- 9:00 to 17:00 (April to August); to 16:30 (September and March); to 16:00 (October to February); entry ends 40 minutes before closing; closed Mondays and December 28 to January 4
Tip
Enter through the Seishomon gate on the west side, where bags are checked. Closed on Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a national holiday).
01Where to stay
Stay nearby
This place is near the Imperial Palace and Demachiyanagi. Median hotel rate in the latest sample: US$375 per night. Where to stay near the Imperial Palace and Demachiyanagi
Prices and availability come from the booking sites and can change.
02Map
Nearby places
- Nature Kyoto Gyoen National Garden 京都御苑 A park about 1300 m long and 700 m wide around the Imperial Palace and Sento Palace, with gravel paths, lawns and tree groves. Free entry 45 min 5 min walk
- Garden Sento Imperial Palace 仙洞御所 A secondary palace built in 1630 for retired emperors, now visited for its stroll garden around the North and South ponds. Free entry 1 h 15 min walk
- Shopping Demachi Masugata Shopping Street 出町桝形商店街 A covered neighbourhood arcade of about 160 m west of the Kamo river, with fruit and vegetable shops, a supermarket and small eateries. Free entry 30 min 5 min walk
- Nature Kamogawa Delta 鴨川デルタ The point at Demachiyanagi where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, with turtle-shaped stepping stones across both rivers. Free entry 30 min 2 min walk
Sources · Verified 24 September 2026