Imperial Palace East Gardens
Chiyoda, the former Edo Castle grounds
- Free
- Morning
- Nature
The free, public half of the Imperial Palace grounds — Edo Castle's old stone keep, a maple grove, and a seasonal iris garden tucked behind moats in the city's exact heart.
Tip Pick up the free entry token at Otemon Gate and keep it — you hand it back on the way out. Climb the grassy foundation of the old castle keep for a quiet panorama, then time it for early summer when the iris garden peaks or autumn for the maple grove. Mondays and Fridays are closed, which trips up a lot of visitors.