Japan Palace Tours: 12 to Book

1.Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · from $22Our pick

Walk through Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens with a small group of up to 15 people. Guides such as Jim, Miguel, Tony, and Blake explain Edo Castle, the shogunate, imperial life, gates, walls, and Ninomaru Garden. Expect about two hours of walking, some slopes, and a return to the starting point.

“The tour guide spoke clearly and was very friendly. We would have prefered a little more historical information to set the scene before or as we entered the historical precinct but on the whole it was a worthwhile activity.”

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2.Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,068 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Join an English-speaking guide such as Anju, Fuma, or Yuka for a two-hour walk through Edo Castle ruins, Imperial Palace grounds, Ninomaru Garden, and the East Gardens. The group is limited to 10, with history, gardens, koi, old defenses, and photo stops included.

“The tour was perfect; Ai was very knowledgeable and friendly.”

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3.Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,020 reviews · 1 hour · from $16Best value

Spend one hour exploring Nijo Castle with an English-speaking guide such as Miki, Kaoru, Ai, or Don. See the East Main Gate, Karamon Gate, Ninomaru Palace, and garden, while learning how shoguns lived, worked, and guarded their power. Some tours also enter restricted rooms.

“I liked the fact that the guide made the tour interesting and fun 😁. I learned a lot about the history of Kyoto which was much appreciated.”

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4.Imperial Palace Japanese History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 987 reviews · from $32

Meet your Sunrise Adventure guide near Starbucks at Wadakuramon fountain, then walk through Otemon Gate into the Imperial Palace’s Eastern Gardens. Over about two hours, explore Edo Castle ruins, samurai history, bamboo, royal koi, and Japanese culture. English and French tours are available.

“We had Mika as our tour guide and she was amazing! She provided some mosquito spray which was much needed inside the Imperial palace as it's full of nature and also full of mosquito. Mika was very informative during the tour and answered all of our questions!”

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5.Imperial Palace and Shogun Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $16

Walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens with an English-speaking guide such as Tony, Blake, or Jim. See Ote-Mon Gate, Edo Castle ruins, massive stone walls, Ninomaru Garden, and koi-filled ponds while learning how shogun rule shaped modern Tokyo.

“Our guide Sneha, did a great job of sharing very interesting stories throughout the tour. It was nice to have a quick break in the middle to sit for a bit and grab a quick drink from the vending machine.”

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6.Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 724 reviews · from $23

Walk through the former Edo Castle grounds with an English-speaking guide, visiting historic gates, samurai guardhouses, the castle ruins, and Ninomaru Garden. Guides such as K, Keiko, Ai, and Shin have led engaging tours, with photos and stories that make the palace’s past easier to picture.

“Our tour guide Shin was the absolute best you could ask for. He was knowledgeable in the history of the imperial palace as well as Japanese history and he even helped me sign on to his tour group at the last minute when the guide for the tour I was supposed to go on didn’t show up. He was very helpful throughout and gave the best tour one could ask for.”

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7.Imperial Palace East Garden and Edo Castle Walking Tour in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 510 reviews · from $25

Spend about 2.5 hours walking from Wadakura Fountain Park through the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Edo Castle ruins. Guides such as Kenta, Sato, Kei, and Glenda explain samurai-era Japan, the shoguns, the Imperial family, castle defenses, and garden design. Palace buildings are not open to the public.

“Miki was knowledgeable and kind. Answered any question I might have had. Highly recommend this tour!”

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8.Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 453 reviews · 3 hours · from $49

Walk from Nijojo-mae Station through Nijo Castle’s Ninomaru Palace and garden, then continue to Kyoto Imperial Palace and finish near Imadegawa Station. Your guide explains the contrast between shogun and emperor, with English, French, and Spanish tours for groups of up to nine.

“Taku, a native of Uji on the outskirts of Kyoto, was an excellent guide for the tour. He was patient, knowledgeable, and considerate of the needs of everyone on the tour. He has a deep respect for and knowledge of both the national treasure sites. I learned alot from the tour and would recommend to anyone who wishes to delve into the interesting history, culture, and natural beauty of Kyoto!”

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9.Imperial Palace East Gardens Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 353 reviews · 2h 30m · from $19

Spend 150 minutes walking Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens with an English-speaking guide such as Mei, Kei, or Wakana. See Edo Castle foundations, guard houses, stone walls, the Honmaru ruins, and Ninomaru Garden while connecting shogun-era Japan with modern Tokyo. The tour stays outside the Imperial Palace itself.

“Miracle was a fantastic guide. Her knowledge and visual aids gave us a great understanding of the old Edo castle and the gardens that are there now. The tour was well paced and gave us time to appreciate her information and to take in the gardens as we walked through them. Highly recommend this tour.”

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10.Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji Temple, & Tokyo Tower Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 339 reviews · 4 hours · from $40

This four-hour Hato Bus tour links Tokyo’s Imperial Palace outer grounds, Sensō-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and Tokyo Tower. An English-speaking guide such as Junko, Kiki, or Saiko may add useful history and city tips during the bus rides. Expect easy transport, free time at Sensō-ji, and a 150-meter city view.

“Kiki was our guide, lovely gentleman, speaks very good english, explained a lot of stories, we have seen the major attractions of Tokyo, no troule with transport, they sorted out everything. good timing, very professional, informative and friendly. absolutely recommending to everyone.”

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11.Tokyo Castle, Imperial Palace, Shogun & Garden Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 211 reviews · from $31

Spend two hours exploring Tokyo’s East Gardens, Ōtemon Gate, Edo Castle ruins, guardhouse remains, and Ninomaru Garden. Guides such as Mika, Natsumi, Lakki, and Nicolas explain samurai-era history, point out photo spots, and help you make sense of a huge site.

“Very interesting tour, about Japan s history. Our guide Natsumi was friendly and knowledgable with good English. The Imperial palace is mostly gardens with few guards' wooden houses. The palace itself is only stone base ramp while the palace was burnt in a fire and not restored.”

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12.Edo Castle & East Garden of the Imperial Palace Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 112 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Spend two hours walking Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens, built on the grounds of Edo Castle. An English-speaking guide such as Hitoshi, Naoko, or Masahito explains shogun history, palace customs, garden design, and local culture. The tour stays outside the Inner Palace.

“Motonori was very accommodating for my senior parents on our tour. He gave us a great tour I'm English.”

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