These are the gardens open to the public on the eastern side of the palace. I’ve been here once before for a picnic, but usually we find the main gardens more accessible from Tokyo Station. Also it is best to avoid Otemachi Station with a stroller – I can never seem to find the elevator! The gardens are beautiful though, and definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. Especially during the cherry blossom season.
- Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Address in Japanese: 東京都千代田区千代田1-1
- Hours: 9am – 4:30pm (until 5pm from mid April through August; until 4pm from November through February). Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
- Cost: Free
- Closed: Mondays, Fridays (open if the Monday or the Friday is a national holiday, except on the Emperor’s Birthday 23 Dec. ie. the East Gardens are closed on Emperor’s Birthday) If Monday is a national holiday, closed the next day. Also closed on 28 Dec – 3 Jan.
- Access: The Otemon entrance to the East Gardens is a short walk from Otemachi Station on the Chiyoda, Tozai, Marunouchi, Hanzomon and Mita Subway Lines. It can also be reached in a 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.
- Website
