Place to visit
Kyoto Imperial Palace, Japan: what it is and when to go
Kyoto Imperial Palace is a former imperial palace (京都御所) in Japan (Kyoto). Interests: History. The best time to visit is February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 21 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39. It has articles in 33 Wikipedias: it is one of the fifty best-known places in Japan on this site. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Former imperial palace · History
- Local name
- 京都御所
- Where
- Japan · 3, 602-0881, 上京区, 京都府
- Best time
- February to May and October to November.
- Nearest airport
- KIX Osaka, 82 km as the crow flies
- Opening hours
- Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
- Website
- sankan.kunaicho.go.jp
- Run by
- 宮内庁
- Coordinates
- 35.02527, 135.76235
What it is and where
Kyoto Imperial Palace is a former imperial palace (京都御所) in Japan (Kyoto). It has articles in 33 Wikipedias: it is one of the fifty best-known places in Japan on this site.
It is in Kyoto, where this site lists 205 more places to see, 1.5 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 35.02527, 135.76235; the nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX, Osaka), 82 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Run by
- 宮内庁
It is one of the History places in Japan. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace is February to May and October to November.
- JanPossible9:53
- FebBest time10:44
- MarBest time11:44
- AprBest time12:53
- MayBest time13:50
- JunPossible14:21
- JulPossible14:08
- AugPossible13:19
- SepPossible12:12
- OctBest time11:06
- NovBest time10:07
- DecPossible9:39
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 21 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Japan
To enter Japan there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “A valid passport covering your whole stay”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Japan checklist. Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); plugs: Type A and B · 100 V · 50/60 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 119 ambulance and fire.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Sentō Imperial PalaceHistory503 m
- St. Agnes CathedralAnglican cathedral in Kyoto, Japan680 m
- Shōkoku-jiBuddhist temple in Japan818 m
- Shiramine ShrineShinto shrine in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan1.0 km
- sakura-yuHot spring bath1.1 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Japan guide.
More in Japan: History
- Mount Fuji: volcano in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan
- Kiyomizu-dera: Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Himeji Castle: Japanese castle complex
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial: architectural structure
- Itsukushima Shrine: Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
- Kinkaku-ji: Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan
Every Japan place under History, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kyoto Imperial Palace?
It is a former imperial palace (京都御所 in the local language) in Japan. It has articles in 33 Wikipedias: it is one of the fifty best-known places in Japan on this site.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace?
February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 21 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39.
How do you get to Kyoto Imperial Palace?
The nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX), 82 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Japan is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Japan map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Sentō Imperial Palace, St. Agnes Cathedral, Shōkoku-ji. The rest is in the Japan guide.
Keep reading
- Kyoto205 places to see in and around Kyoto, Japan: Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Best time: February to May and October to November.
- History500 places for history in Japan, from Mount Fuji to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: February to May and October to November. Each with its own season by altitude
- JapanBefore travelling to Japan: 10 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism: up to 90 days with a valid passport.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Kyoto Imperial Palace on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.