Walking Tours

Tokyo: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Edo Castle Guided Walking Tour

Tour group walking near Tokyo's Imperial Palace on a guided Shogun tour.

Traditional Japanese dancers in red costumes perform at Tokyo's Imperial Palace.

Imperial Palace building by a moat in Tokyo, surrounded by lush greenery.

Visitors at Tokyo's Imperial Palace with city skyline in the background.

Duration

2 hrs

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.7/5(27)

Frank S

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about both the palace gardens and Japanese history and culture. As a Canadian, he was able to explain aspects of Japan that are different than North America. He was also incredibly helpful with assisting tour participants with planning how to get to their their next destination. I highly recommend him!

Julia M

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Our guide Brendan was super friendly and knowledgeable. He even took the time to give us some good tips on where to go after. It was definitely worth it to learn more about Japanese history and culture. Would recommend.

Norman G

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

Svend Tausen gave a well-paced and informative tour today. He was able to answer the group’s questions and kept us engaged. I felt I better understood the history of the Edo period and the Imperial Palace.

David S

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

Miguel was a great tour guide. Very informative and also super approachable besides the tour points. Great pacing, great explanations and way of telling the stories. I was very pleased with the experience

Michal M

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Our guide Embla was funny, charming and full of energy. She had a lot of interesting things to say about the Gardens and even offered advice about things outside the tour subject.

Giuliana M

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

Embla was just fabulous! Not only lovely personality, very friendly and very knowledgeable. I felt safe and comfortable with her looking after us. Thank you.!

Walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens, once part of the historic Edo Castle complex.

Discover the ruins of Tokyo’s former shogunate seat with an English-speaking guide.

Learn about Japan’s imperial lineage and the political history of the Edo period.

Enjoy a short, easy-paced 2-hour walking tour ideal for first-time visitors.

Explore one of Tokyo’s most historic sites with clear historical context from your guide.

2-hour guided walking tour through the Imperial Palace East Gardens

English-speaking guide

Historical insights into Edo Castle and Japan’s imperial lineage

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Food and beverages

Personal expenses

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

27 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Germany, France and over 14 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Frank S
Solo
Verified booking
May 2026
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about both the palace gardens and Japanese history and culture. As a Canadian, he was able to explain aspects of Japan that are different than North America. He was also incredibly helpful with assisting tour participants with planning how to get to their their next destination. I highly recommend him!
Julia M
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Our guide Brendan was super friendly and knowledgeable. He even took the time to give us some good tips on where to go after. It was definitely worth it to learn more about Japanese history and culture. Would recommend.
Norman G
Solo
Verified booking
May 2026
Svend Tausen gave a well-paced and informative tour today. He was able to answer the group’s questions and kept us engaged. I felt I better understood the history of the Edo period and the Imperial Palace.
David S
Solo
Verified booking
May 2026
Miguel was a great tour guide. Very informative and also super approachable besides the tour points. Great pacing, great explanations and way of telling the stories. I was very pleased with the experience
Michal M
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Our guide Embla was funny, charming and full of energy. She had a lot of interesting things to say about the Gardens and even offered advice about things outside the tour subject.

A 2-hour guided walking tour through the Imperial Palace East Gardens, exploring Edo Castle’s historic grounds with an English-speaking guide.

Getting started

Meet your English-speaking guide at the designated meeting point and begin with a brief introduction to the site. After a short orientation, enter the Imperial Palace East Gardens to start your historical walk.

What to expect

Walk through the former grounds of Edo Castle—once the largest castle complex in Japan. Explore preserved gardens and castle ruins while learning about the shogunate era and Japan’s imperial legacy.

Features

Edo Castle ruins: See stone foundations and remaining structures from the former shogunate stronghold.

Imperial history: Learn about Japan’s imperial lineage and its connection to Edo-period Tokyo.

Imperial Palace East Gardens: Walk through landscaped gardens that now occupy the former castle grounds.

Guided historical insights: Your English-speaking guide shares context on the site’s political and cultural significance.

What to bring

Bring a valid ID matching the name on your booking, if requested at check-in.

What’s not allowed

Pets are not allowed on this tour.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair accessible and stroller/pram accessible.

Additional information

Infants must sit on a parent’s lap during the tour.

Infant seats are not available.

Meeting point details will be shared on your ticket after booking.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.