Is the Imperial Palace always open to public?

Is the Imperial Palace always open to public?

There are two Imperial Palace in Kyoto and Tokyo. After Meiji restoration, the Emperor moved to Tokyo. Before that he lived in Kyoto for about 1000 years. Imperial Palace in Tokyo was the Edo castle which was the residence of Tokugawa shogunate. After Meiji restoration, Tokugawa vacated this castle to the Emperor.

There are two Imperial Palaces: one in Kyoto and one in Tokyo. After the Meiji restoration, the Emperor moved to Tokyo. Before that the emporor's residence was located in Kyoto for about 1000 years. The Imperial Palace in Tokyo was the Edo castle which was the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate. After the Meiji restoration, the Tokugawa left this castle to the Emperor.

The Imperial Palace both in Tokyo and Kyoto are not always open to public.

The Imperial Palaces both in Tokyo and Kyoto are not always open to the public.

We can enter the inner palace of Tokyo only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

We can enter the inner palace of Tokyo only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

 For the rest of the year, visitors have to reserve in advance at Imperial Household Agency to tour the palace.

For the rest of the year, visitors have to make reservations in advance at the Imperial Household Agency to tour the palace.

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto is open to the public twice a year (April and November). For the rest of year, visitor who wants to tour the Palace also have to apply for permission in advance over Internet or mail.

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto is open to the public twice a year (April and November). For the rest of year, visitors who wants to tour the Palace also have to apply for permission in advance over the Internet or by mail.