Castle & Palace · Marunouchi / Chiyoda

Kokyo Gaien National Garden 皇居外苑

The broad pine-dotted plaza and moats in front of the Imperial Palace, once the outer grounds of Edo Castle, with free guided tours.

HoursOpen access (rest houses have set hours)

ClosedNone

PriceFree

Getting thereNijubashimae Station (Chiyoda Line), exit 6, about 2 min; Tokyo Station Marunouchi side, about 10 min

Time needed1 hour

Best timeEarly morning or late afternoon; cherry blossoms along the moats

Address1-1 Kokyo-gaien, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0002

Websitefng.or.jp/koukyo

About

Kokyo Gaien covers the former outer enclosure of Edo Castle between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace: a wide gravel plaza planted with black pines, stone-walled moats and historic gates. Its paths lead to the Nijubashi bridges, Sakuradamon Gate, the Kusunoki Masashige statue and Wadakura Fountain Park. The National Gardens Association runs a rest house and free guided tours.

Highlights

Plaza of black pines in front of the Imperial Palace
Edo Castle moats, stone walls and gates
Wadakura Fountain Park
Free guided tours (booking required)

Tips

Join a guided tour for the castle history; check the monthly schedule
Pair with the Imperial Palace East Gardens (closed Mondays and Fridays)

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10

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Kokyo Gaien National Garden 皇居外苑

About

Highlights

Tips

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