
Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Quick answer
Is Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family worth booking?
Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family is a 1.7-hour experience in Tokyo, Japan, from $1000 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 1.7 hours
- From
- $1000 per person
Hi guys! I’m Yuki.I’ve been running walking tours for over a year now. I studied education at Meiji University and have a junior high school social studies teaching license. I also worked in Vancouver, Canada for about a
What you get
- Entrance fees
- On-board restrooms
- a sour Japanese candy made with pickled plum
About this experience
Hi guys! I’m Yuki.I’ve been running walking tours for over a year now. I studied education at Meiji University and have a junior high school social studies teaching license. I also worked in Vancouver, Canada for about a year and a half. If you just walk around here, it’s honestly hard to know what you’re looking at. I’ll break down who the Emperor is, why this place matters, and how Japanese people see the Emperor today. We’ll take a walk through the Imperial Palace area, which used to be Edo Castle. I’ll share easy stories about samurai life, castle defenses, and things like watchtowers and moats. We’ll also visit some popular Japanese gardens. They’re great for photos, and there’s a small model of the old castle that helps you picture what this place looked like back in the day. I recently launched this tour, so there aren’t many reviews yet—that’s why I’ve kept the price a bit lower. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of guiding experience, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tour!
What's included
Included
- Entrance fees
- On-board restrooms
- a sour Japanese candy made with pickled plum
Not included
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Imperial Palace
During the walk, you’ll visit yagura watchtowers, old castle grounds, beautiful gardens, and even a small souvenir area. Along the way, your guide explains how the yagura and moats worked together to protect the castle. These details help you see that the landscape isn’t just beautiful—it was carefully designed for defense. The Imperial Palace is still where the Emperor of Japan lives today. While you can’t enter the palace buildings, this tour focuses on walking through the areas that are open to the public. It’s a rare chance to explore such an important place on foot, right in the heart of Tokyo. You’ll also enjoy peaceful Japanese gardens and see a miniature scale model of the old castle, which makes it easy to imagine what the area looked like in the past. It’s a great visual highlight and a perfect moment to slow down and take photos.
100 minutes here
Kokyo Otemon Gate
“This Ōtemon Gate area was an important place the shogun used.”
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tokyo
The meeting point is Wada Fountain Plaza, right in front of Starbucks. When you arrive at Wada Fountain Plaza, look for the fountain in the open square. You’ll see a Starbucks next to the fountain. Please wait in front of Starbucks, near the fountain.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour will end in one of the public areas within the Imperial Palace grounds.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- japantourco
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 1.7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $1000 to $4500
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tokyo.
How much does Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family cost?
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Prices start at $1000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tokyo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family take?
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Plan for about 1.7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tokyo is not rushed.
Is Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tokyo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tokyo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tokyo and add a light layer if any part of the 1.7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Imperial Palace Walking Tour: The Shoguns and the Imperial Family start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tokyo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tokyo?
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Tokyo is less a city than a stack of neighborhoods with completely different opening hours. A guided food crawl through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho gets you past the no-tourist curtains, while the day trips west to Hakone and Fuji need an early start to be worth the fare. Our ranking weighs guide quality heavily here, because in Tokyo the guide is the product. On Outty we rank every Tokyo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tokyo Shinjuku Chopsticks Making Class, Tokyo : Asakusa Chopsticks Making Class, Shinjuku Night Food and Bar Crawl. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
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Late March to May for blossom, October to November for clear Fuji views. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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