Stepping Into History: The Kyoto Imperial Palace

Exploring the Kyoto Imperial Palace

With a Smartphone Guide in Hand

I took the subway from my hotel to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Admission is free — and so is the audio guide app. How generous!

App Store

‎宮内庁参観音声ガイド- 宮内庁公式アプリ ‎「宮内庁参観音声ガイド」は宮内庁の公式アプリです。皇居一般参観、皇居東御苑、京都御所の参観音声ガイドとして、日・英・中・韓・仏・西の6言語でご利用になれます。 ■...

This Is the Former Imperial Palace

The Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until they moved to Tokyo. There used to be many mansions of court nobles surrounding the palace, but they no longer remain, leaving the grounds feeling spacious and somewhat scattered.

I wandered through the palace grounds with the app in hand. It was fascinating to see the different architectural styles, as each building was constructed in a different period.

The vermilion-colored corridors are one of the palace’s most distinctive features. This area reflects the elegant architectural style of the Heian period.

And here is the Shishinden (Hall for State Ceremonies), the main hall of the palace. It’s truly enormous.

The garden is also very spacious and impressive — just as you’d expect from the Imperial Palace.

The photo captures only a small part of the garden. As I strolled around at a leisurely pace, I couldn’t help but imagine what kind of world once existed here.

After leaving the Kyoto Imperial Palace, I headed to the Garden of Fine Art Kyoto.