Kokyo

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Coordinates: 35°41′05.11″N, 139°45′08.85″E Image:Imperial Palace Tokyo Panorama.jpg Image:Imperial Palace Tokyo Map.png

Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Akihito prepares to greet the flag-waving crowd at the Imperial Palace on his birthday. Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2004.

Defensive wall and building above moat surrounding Kōkyo

The Kōkyo (皇居, Kōkyo^?) is the Imperial Palace of Japan and the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is located in Marunouchi Chiyoda, Tokyo.

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. From 1888 to 1948, it was called kyūjō (宮城, "palace castle").

It was destroyed during the Second World War by bombing, but was rebuilt in the same style in 1968.

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 Kōkyo is close to Tokyo Station.

The buildings of the Imperial Palace were constructed by Takenaka Corporation.

[edit] Historic imperial palaces

Heijo Palace in Nara, the Imperial Palace during the Nara Period (710-784)
Kyoto Gosho - Imperial palace at various locations in Kyoto, residence until the move to Tokyo in 1868.