Exit on Marunouchi

Tokyo Station Marunouchi façade in 2023

At JR Tokyo Station, follow Marunouchi North Exit signs. Yaesu is on the opposite side of the station. The red-brick building photographs show the Marunouchi plaza side.

  • From a Shinkansen platform, first locate Marunouchi in the interchange and exit signs. Ask gate staff how to use your particular ticket combination if unsure.
  • An alternative with less street walking is Otemachi Station Exit C13a. Check the current station map for closures and lift access rather than assuming a numbered stairway is accessible.

Aim for Ote-mon

Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station

Set your map destination to Ote-mon Gate, not simply Imperial Palace. The agency lists roughly 15 minutes from Tokyo Station's Marunouchi North Exit or five from Otemachi C13a.

  • Leave time for crossings and checking direction. Match Ote-mon signs and the moat to your map before choosing a bridge or gate.
  • Nijubashi viewpoints and Kikyo-mon for guided palace visits are different destinations. Approach an open East Gardens entrance by public streets.

Separate fares and entry

The East Gardens are free with no advance reservation. A subway ticket pays for reaching a station, not admission to the garden.

  • Tokyo Subway Ticket covers Metro and Toei, not JR or the Shinkansen. Compare ordinary fares if this is your only return trip.
  • Check the linked offer's non-Japanese-passport eligibility, exchange stations, redemption, activation, validity and cancellation. Paid museum exhibitions are separate from free garden entry.

Check the gate

At Ote-mon, confirm opening and follow baggage-inspection instructions. Leaving large bags at your hotel or an available station locker makes the walk easier.

  • Usual closures are Monday and Friday, plus December 28–January 3. Holiday exceptions and ceremonial closures apply; check the official calendar for your date.
  • October hours are 09:00–16:30, entry until 16:00; November–February close at 16:00, entry until 15:30. Free admission does not mean open all night.

Inside the garden

Ninomaru Garden in the Imperial Palace East Gardens
Long guardhouse in the Imperial Palace East Gardens
Guardhouse in the Imperial Palace East Gardens

Use the map to see the guardhouses and Ninomaru Garden first, then extend toward Honmaru if time allows. The photographs show different garden and building features.

  • The Honmaru approach includes slopes. A shorter lower-area visit is an option if walking is difficult; keep time to reach an exit before closing.
  • You cannot walk straight through the garden to Kikyo-mon for an Imperial Palace guided tour. Exit the garden and take the separate outside route if you have a tour booking.

Sources & photo credits

Photo credits

Photos are resized and converted to WebP. Archival images illustrate signs and spaces; they do not show current service conditions.