The Imperial Palace grounds occupy the site of the original Edo-jō, the Tokugawa shōgunate's castle when they ruled the land. As it's the home of Japan's emperor and some of the imperial family, the palace is off limits. You can take a free tour of some of the surrounding grounds. If you're not on the tour, two bridges – the iron Nijū-bashi and the stone Megane-bashi – comprise a famous landmark, which can be viewed from the southwest corner of Imperial Palace Plaza.
Behind the bridges rises the Edo-era Fushimi-yagura watchtower.
For tours (lasting around one hour, 15 minutes) you must book ahead through the Imperial Household Agency's website or by phoning. Reservations are taken between a month and four days in advance – you'd be wise to apply as early as possible. Tours run twice daily from Monday to Friday (10am and 1.30pm), but not on public holidays nor afternoons from late July through to the end of August.
In its heyday this was the largest fortress in the world, though little remains of it today apart from the moat and stone walls. The present palace, completed in 1968, replaced the one built in 1888, which was largely destroyed during WWII.
The main park of the verdant palace grounds is the Imperial Palace East Garden , which is open to the public without reservations. You must take a token upon arrival and return it at the end of your visit.
