TOKYO · JAPAN
Tokyo’s best days out.
The 15 most popular imperial palace & edo castle tours in Tokyo, from the famous to the underrated. What each one actually involves, what it costs, and who runs it.
Small-group walk through Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens, Edo Castle ruins, and Ninomaru Garden with guided stories and ticket included.
Most Popular“We had a very informative tour with Lasse. He is extremely passionate about the history of Japan. Would recommend 👍”
Tokyo Imperial Palace Eastern Gardens walking tour with an English guide. Follow Edo-era footsteps, see koi fish and bamboo, learn the ranks system.
“Our tour guide was wonderful. She had a sign so we knew exactly who she was. She gave us some small gifts which were perfect for this heat! During the tour she spoke loud enough everyone could hear, was mindful of the heat and tried as much as possible to stop in the shade when…”
A 2-hour, English guided walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens, including Ninomaru Garden koi ponds and Edo-era power spots.
“Tony did a fantastic job and connected Japanese history with Tokyo’s modern city structure, explaining what happened when and how it impacted today’s everyday life in Tokyo. Afterwards, he also shared some interesting personal stories and experiences as an American living in Japan. Would recommend it to everyone!”
Small-group walk around the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Edo Castle ruins, with a calm start at Wadakura Fountain Park and expert local stories.
“Tour was fine but not really worth it. Our tour guide was very nice and very knowledgeable but the gardens are not super impressive. We were left a little disappointed by the tour.”
Stroll Tokyo’s East Gardens and Edo Castle remnants with an English guide, learning shogun-era design and seasonal blooms for $19.
“I had incredible luck with the guide Mey. She is highly knowledgeable and very well prepared to present the history as well as to deliver the information in an interesting way. We enjoyed the tour entirely and I’ll strongly recommend it to everyone.”
See Imperial Palace outer grounds, Sensō-ji with Nakamise, and Tokyo Tower views on a 4-hour English guided hybrid bus tour.
“This tour fulfilled my desire to see the Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji Temple, & Tokyo Tower. The transportation was comfortable and I'm satisfied with the value of the tour. Atsushi was an informative guide. He did well pacing the tour and including everyone in the group.”
Small-group walk through Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens, Ōtemon Gate, and Ninomaru Garden with shogun-era stories and photo spots.
“We really enjoyed our tour with Natsumi of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. In spite of it being a rainy day, the grounds were spectacular and Natsumi was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan and how Tokyo and the Imperial Palace become the center of leadership for the country. We enjoyed learning about how…”
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens tour: a 2-hour guided walk from Wadakura Fountain Park, Edo Castle stories, and koi fish highlights for $42.
“Masahito was informative and we learnt alot in the tour. He also went out of his way to show us cherry blossoms at an adjacent park. Very obliging and helpful. Recommend him as a guide! Thank you Masa san!”
Private Tokyo tour of Imperial Palace East Gardens with a guide covering Edo Castle ruins and Ninomaru Garden. 2 hours, mobile ticket.
“Our guide Shigeri was very knowledgeable regarding the history of Imperial Palace. He took the time to answer our many questions and actually had deep answers. We appreciated his patience.”
A 7-hour bilingual tour linking Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Akihabara, Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree with train tickets included.
“Wonderful tour guides! Recommend this tour at the beginning of your stay. It gives an idea of where to go and spend longer times, or not. Dress warmly in winter-wind and cold!”
A guided walk through Tokyo Imperial Palace’s eastern gardens, Edo-era ruins, and koi highlights, with history context and photo stops for about $40.
“Amazing tour with our Franco-Japanese guide Nicolas. He shared all the park's little secrets and answered lots of questions about Japanese mythology, Japan in general, the language, and more. We were able to share with him on many topics. We were a small group of 5 people, which made it easy to talk and made…”
Private 2-hour Edo Castle ruins and Imperial Palace East Gardens tour with an English guide. Time-travel through shogun-era Tokyo for $63.
“Our guide Maru was knowledgeable helpful and friendly. Highly recommend”
A small-group Tokyo walk mixing Imperial Palace grounds, Tokyo Station, and Kagurazaka alleys, with expert guide tips and mobile tickets.
“I ended up with a private tour! Gave me the opportunity to ask lots of questions which is the benefit of having someone guide you. It is possible to do this on your own without a guide but I learned a lot like the meaning of the fish on the roofs Read more”
Walk the Imperial Palace East Gardens and shop Nihonbashi with a guide. Includes dashi and sake tastings plus washi making and more.
“Must do in Tokyo is to walk the Imperial gardens. Our guide Toyo took us everywhere around the gardens. We were her mid-ApiI’ll so there were still cherry blossoms and it was now azalea season! Wow the colors. We could have done this walking on our own, but I recommend a guide to get full…”
A 2-hour English guided walk around Tokyo’s Imperial Palace grounds with Edo castle stories and an Imperial snack.
“Madame was our tour guide todY. he was very informative on Japanese edo period history. He took time to explain the various structures on the palace grounds and answered our questions. we were quite happy with the tour and would recommend again.”
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