[Updated in Dec. 19, 2018]
“Imperial Palace” is the place where the Emperor lives in.
“Imperial villa” is a palace built in the place where is different from the Imperial Palace.
I introduce two Imperial Palaces in Kyoto (Kyoto Imperial Palace & Sento Imperial Palace) to you by this article.
Contents:
- Summary of Visit Info
- Reservation method
- How to look around Kyoto Imperial Palace & Sento Imperial Palace in one day.
- The visit report of Kyoto Imperial Palace.
- The visit report of Sento Imperial Palace.
1.Summary of Visit Info
The facilities of Kyoto that Imperial Household Agency manages have “Katsura Imperial Villa” and “Shugakuin Imperial Villa” other than “Kyoto Imperial Palace”, “Sento Imperial Palace”.
↓Reservation method and the visit report of “Katsura Imperial Villa” and “Shugakuin Imperial Villa” are here.↓
2.Reservation method
*From July 26, 2016, Kyoto Imperial Palace is open to visitors all year around Admission free. No application required.
It is necessary to make a reservation beforehand to enter Sento Imperial Palace.
Caution of reservation and visitations is here.
・It is crowded very much on April(Season of cherry blossoms), Octover and November(Season of Autumn leaves) and Saturday.
・On the visit day, let’s bring a “Notice of permit of visit” and a passport.
・Let’s go with the style which is easy to walk.
3.How to look around Kyoto Imperial Palace & Sento Imperial Palace in one day.
There are Kyoto Imperial Palace and Sento Imperial Palace in the center of Kyoto.
There are both Imperial Palaces in a site of “Kyoto Gyoen National Garden”. (About 20-minute walk.)
You can visit to both Imperial Palaces smoothly if you make a reservation as follows. d(*ﾟーﾟ*)
■Pattern to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace at first.
・Kyoto Imperial Palace(9:00~)→Sento Imperial Palace(11:00~)→End time(12:00)
・Kyoto Imperial Palace(11:00)→Sento Imperial Palace(13:30~)→End time(14:30)
■Pattern to visit Sento Imperial Palace at first.
・Sento Imperial Palace(11:00~)→Kyoto Imperial Palace(13:30~)→End time(14:30)
・Sento Imperial Palace(13:30~)→Kyoto Imperial Palace(15:00~)→End time(16:00)
4.The visit report of Kyoto Imperial Palace.
- What is “Kyoto Imperial Palace”?
- How to get to “Kyoto Imperial Palace”.
- Let’s take a look at the photo of Kyoto Imperial Palace.
・What is “Kyoto Imperial Palace”?
The nearest station of Kyoto Imperial Palace is “Karasuma Line Imadegawa Station”.
・JR Osaka Sta.→Imadegawa Sta.
・Route Example
・Imadegawa Sta.→Kyoto Imperial Palace
It is about 10-minute walk!
・Let’s take a look at the photo of Kyoto Imperial Palace.
An identification card (Passport, etc.) and the presentation of Notice of permit of visit are necessary for a receptionist. Towards the foreigner, a sound guide machine is rented free.
The beginning of guided tour! Tour time is about one hour.
A building seeing first is “宜秋門 (Gishumon)”. There are six gate like this gate in Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The Chrysanthemum flower crest which is a symbol of the Imperial Family is decorated on the roof tile.
“御車寄（Okurumayose）”. (This is the official entrance.)
“諸大夫の間（Shodaibunoma）”. (This is the waiting room of guests.)
“新御車寄（Shin-Okurumayose）”. It is the building where it was built newly in 1915 when the Emperor Taisho was succeeded to the throne.
月華門（Gekkamon）. Vermilion paint is beautiful.
“紫宸殿（Shishinden）” viewed from “承明門（Jomeimon）”
“紫宸殿（Shishinden）” is the main palace of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The mirror which is one of three kinds of sacred treasures is kept in “春興殿（Shunkoden）”.
“清涼殿（Seiryoden）” is a house of the Emperor.
“御帳台（Michodai）” which is a bedroom of the Emperor.
“御池庭（Oikeniwa）” is a japanese strolling garden.
“蹴鞠の庭（Kemari-no-niwa）”. This is a garden to enjoy kemari(Japanese old football).
“御内庭（Gonaitei）” is small, but beautiful Japanese garden.
“御三間（Omima）” is the building where a ceremony of the Imperial Court is held. A beautiful fusuma picture is drawn on the fusuma(sliding screen).
The feature of Kyoto Imperial Palace is that it is luxurious unlike other Imperial Palaces and imperial villas, and there are many big buildings. d(*ﾟーﾟ*)
5.The visit report of Sento Imperial Palace.
- What is “Sento Imperial Palace”?
- How to get to “Sento Imperial Palace”.
- Let’s take a look at the photo of Sento Imperial Palace.
・What is “Sento Imperial Palace”?
The nearest station of Sento Imperial Palace is “Karasuma Line Marutamachi Station”.
・JR Osaka Sta.→Marutamachi Sta.
・Route Example
・Marutamachi Sta.→Sento Imperial Palace
It is about 20-minute walk!
・Let’s take a look at the photo of Sento Imperial Palace.
An identification card (Passport, etc.) and the presentation of Notice of permit of visit are necessary for a receptionist.
Towards the foreigner, a sound guide machine is rented free.
The beginning of guided tour! Tour time is about one hour.
“御車寄（Okurumayose）”. (This is the official entrance.)
“御常御殿（Otsune-Goten）”. This is the building to stay when His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince came to Kyoto.
“又新亭(Yushin-tei)” is one of two tea-ceremony rooms in Sento Imperial Palace.
The entrance of “又新亭(Yushin-tei)”.
There are two ponds of north pond and south pond in Sento Imperial Palace. This is north pond.
This is “土橋(Dobashi)” and “石橋(Ishibashi)” built in the north pond.
Moss is spread all over the garden of Sento Imperial Palace. Therefore, on the rainy day, it is particularly beautiful.
“八ツ橋 (Yatsuhashi)” is built at south pond.
This is the scenery which spread a circular stone called “一升石(Isshoseki)” all more than 110, 000, and was made.
This is “紅葉橋(Momiji-bashi)” and “雄滝(Odaki)” in South pond.
This is a garden lantern presented from the Mito House.
“醒花亭(Seika-tei )” is one of two tea-ceremony rooms in Sento Imperial Palace.
Poetry of Li Bo is an origin of “醒花亭(Seika-tei )” ‘s name. The poem is displayed in the tea house.
”柿本社（Kakinomoto-yashiro）.
“蘇鉄山（Sotetsu-yama）”.
How did you like it? There are not many buildings in Sento Imperial Palace, but there is a very beautiful garden.
Have a nice trip! XD
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