Inui Street Autumn Walk 2026: Tokyo Photography Guide The Inui Street Autumn Walk is a seasonal public opening at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, occurring in late November or early December. For 2026, photographers can access a 750-meter restricted path from Sakashita-mon Gate to Inui-mon Gate, offering rare views of fall foliage and the historic Fujimi…
Is the Imperial Palace Tour Worth It for Photographers? For photographers in Tokyo, the Imperial Palace presents a tantalizing opportunity. It has a free tour that takes you inside the grounds of Japan’s most famous castle. It’s a landscape of massive stone gates, historic keeps, and sprawling courtyards. But with a guided tour, time is…
Masashige Kusunoki: The Imperial Palace Samurai Statue Story Standing guard in the Outer Gardens of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a towering bronze samurai on horseback. Most visitors snap a quick photo and move on, but who was this man, immortalized in the heart of the city? The first time I saw this statue, I did…
Inui Street: Enjoy the Tokyo Imperial Palace Cherry Blossoms Inui Street is a 750-meter tree-lined boulevard within the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds, famous for its exclusive seasonal public openings. During the 2027 spring sakura season, visitors can walk this restricted route to view over 70 species of cherry blossoms, offering a rare glimpse into the…
A Photographer’s Guide to Emperor Akihito’s 83rd Birthday Visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace on December 23 How often do you get the chance to photograph a reigning monarch from just fifty meters away? On December 23, 2016, I had that very opportunity. With my camera in hand, I joined a massive crowd heading to the…
Tokyo Imperial Palace Photo Guide The Tokyo Imperial Palace, once the site of Edo Castle and now the Emperor’s residence in Chiyoda, is one of Japan’s most iconic photography locations. While most tourists settle for shots of the Nijubashi Bridge, this guide explores the best angles, light, and hidden photo spots, from historic watchtowers to…