Kyoto was home to the Japanese Imperial family from 794 until 1868, with their residences concentrated around what is now Kyoto Gyoen – a large park right in the center of the city.
In the park, visitors can explore several preserved complexes from pre-modern Japan, including the main Imperial Palace and the Sento Palace gardens.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Photo by: PIXTA/ t.sakai The entire walk takes about an hour, and admission is free.
The main palace remains one of the largest and most impressive historical sites in Kyoto, even among the city’s fierce competition, thanks to its grand, varied architecture and well-preserved state.
Visitors can explore the majority of the palace grounds, although cannot go inside the buildings. Extensive information is provided through English signs as well as pamphlets in multiple other languages.
The walk follows a strict path around the main sights, including the grand Shishinden Hall, the site of several important historical events, and the small but beautiful palace gardens.
Sento Imperial Palace
Photo by: PIXTA/ m.Taira You need to register in advance for a free guided tour at the park’s Imperial Household Agency office.
The second key complex in Kyoto Gyoen, Sento Palace has long served as the home of retired emperors. Many of Sento Palace’s historical buildings no longer exist, but it still contains a large Imperial landscape garden and remains in active use as an occasional residence for modern Imperial family members.
To view the palace grounds you ostensibly need to register in advance for a free guided tour at the park’s Imperial Household Agency office. That said, it’s often possible to show up unplanned and secure a spot on the next scheduled tour. Note that you may need to have a residence card or passport on hand.
Although the guides only speak Japanese, audio guides are available in several languages and give a thorough overview of the many sights across the gardens. The tours last for about an hour.
Elsewhere in the Park
Photo by: PIXTA/ t.sakai An escape from the crowds.
Kyoto Gyoen also contains several shrines plus the Kaninnomiya Residence, a former noble mansion with displays on imperial court culture and the park’s history. And, of course, the park itself makes for a nice break from Kyoto’s crowded streets.
If you have a busy schedule and can only fit one sight in, then the Imperial Palace makes for a more well-rounded experience than the Sento Palace and is easier to enter. But combining the two in one trip can make for an interesting dive into both the historic and modern imperial lifestyle.
