Panoramic view of Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Standard of Emperor of Japan
Main Gate
Waving Japanese flags on Emperor's birthday
Emperor Akihito and Empress MichikoThe Kōkyo (皇居) is the Imperial Palace of Japan and the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is roughly the size of Central Park in New York City, which has an area of 3.41 squared kilometers.
After the Meiji Restoration and the resignation of Tokugawa Yoshinobu (the last Tokugawa Shogun), the Imperial court moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and the former Tokugawa stronghold of Edo Castle became the residence of the emperor.
Most of the palace is generally off-limits to the public, but the Imperial Household Agency conducts tours. Also, the East Gardens are usually accessible to tourists. The inner palace is open to the public on only two days during each year, the Emperor's birthday and at the New Year (January 2).
The buildings of the Imperial Palace were constructed by the Takenaka Corporation.
During the height of the 1980s Japanese property bubble, the palace was purportedly valued by some as equivalent to the value of all the real estate in the state of California.
During the height of the 1980s Japanese property bubble, the palace was purportedly valued by some as equivalent to the value of all the real estate in the state of California.
Akihito (明仁), born December 23, 1933, is the current emperor (天皇) of Japan, and the 125th emperor according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989, and is the 21st most senior monarch or lifelong leader. He is the world's only reigning monarch with the title of emperor.
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