PALACE TOURS · ROYAL CASTLE TOURS IN JAPAN
The 7 best royal castle tours in Japan you can book today, with what each ticket admits you to, how long it runs and how far ahead the good slots go. Number one is first for a reason.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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!”
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.”
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.”
A named palace, a kind of ticket, or a whole country of them.
