How to Get to Tokyo Imperial Palace from Tokyo Station

Getting to the Tokyo Imperial Palace is genuinely easy — it sits right in the centre of the city, a short walk from one of Tokyo’s busiest transport hubs. The only thing that catches visitors out is the size of Tokyo Station itself and the question of which exit to use. This guide gives you the exact route from Tokyo Station and from Otemachi, the meeting point for the guided walking tour, and a few timing tips so you arrive relaxed rather than rushed.

The Quick Version

The Imperial Palace grounds are roughly 800 metres — a 5 to 10 minute walk — from Tokyo Station. The guided tour meets at Wadakura Fountain Park (Wadakuramon), by the Starbucks near Kokyo Gaien, about a 7-minute walk from the station. The single most important tip: leave Tokyo Station from the Marunouchi side, not the Yaesu side.

From Tokyo Station — Step by Step

Tokyo Station has two faces. The Yaesu side (east) is shopping malls and the Shinkansen exits. The Marunouchi side (west) is the historic red-brick facade — and the side that faces the palace. You always want the Marunouchi side.

Follow signs inside the station for the Marunouchi Exit. There are three: Marunouchi North, Central, and South.
Use the Marunouchi Central Exit or North Exit. Step outside and you will see the grand red-brick station building behind you and a wide avenue ahead.
Walk straight ahead, away from the station, down the tree-lined avenue toward the greenery. You are walking toward the palace moat.
In roughly 10 minutes you reach the edge of the palace grounds and the Wadakura area.

It is a flat, pleasant, well-signposted walk along Marunouchi’s elegant streets — no hills, no complicated turns.

From Otemachi Station

Otemachi Station, on the Tokyo Metro network, is the closest subway station to the palace and an easy alternative if you are already on the metro. It connects to several lines, and it is only about a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi North Exit, so the two are effectively neighbours. From Otemachi, follow exit signs toward the Imperial Palace; you will reach the grounds in a few minutes.

Getting There — Compared

From	Distance / time	Notes
Tokyo Station (Marunouchi side)	~800 m, 5–10 min walk	Use Marunouchi Central or North Exit
Otemachi Station (Tokyo Metro)	A few minutes’ walk	Closest subway; near Tokyo Station
By taxi	Direct, varies with traffic	See the Sunday caution below

The Guided Tour Meeting Point

The featured walking tour meets at Wadakura Fountain Park, also written Wadakuramon. The landmark is the Starbucks at Kokyo Gaien — your guide waits near the fountain, just to the left of the Starbucks, holding a sign reading “SUNRISE ADVENTURE.”

From Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi exits this is about a 7-minute walk. Aim to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so you can find the sign without stress and the tour can start on time.

A Word on Taxis and Sundays

If you plan to arrive by taxi, note an important quirk: on many Sundays, marathons and running events are held around the Imperial Palace, and taxis cannot always get close to the meeting area on those days. If you visit on a Sunday by taxi, leave extra time and be ready to walk the final stretch. On any day, the train is the simplest and most reliable option — central Tokyo traffic is unpredictable, and the walk from the station is short and scenic anyway.

Other Ways to Arrive

While the train is simplest, the palace’s central location means a few other options exist:

From Haneda or Narita Airport — both airports connect to Tokyo Station directly. From Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line links to Hamamatsucho or onward to Tokyo Station in roughly 30–45 minutes. From Narita, the Narita Express (N’EX) runs straight to Tokyo Station in about an hour. From there, the short walk above applies.
From other central districts — the Imperial Palace sits on the JR Yamanote loop via Tokyo Station, so almost anywhere in central Tokyo is a single train ride away. Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ueno are all within about 15–25 minutes by train.
On foot from nearby sightseeing — if you are already in Marunouchi, Ginza, or around Tokyo Station, the palace is an easy walk; the whole district is pedestrian-friendly and flat.
By bicycle — the moat-side road around the palace is a well-known cycling and running circuit. It is a scenic loop, though it is a route around the grounds rather than a way into the East Gardens.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few errors trip up first-time visitors:

Leaving from the Yaesu side. It is the wrong side of the station — you will end up walking the long way round. Always use a Marunouchi exit.
Underestimating Tokyo Station. It is one of Japan’s largest and busiest stations. Give yourself time to find the right exit, especially at rush hour.
Showing up on a closed day for the East Gardens. A self-guided garden visit will not work on a Monday or Friday — see our East Gardens opening hours guide before you plan. A guided tour of the surrounding grounds can still run.
Cutting the arrival buffer too fine. The tour starts on time; arriving with the group is far less stressful than racing the clock.

Timing Your Arrival

A few practical pointers:

Build in a buffer. Tokyo Station is enormous. Allow 10–15 minutes to walk through the station and find the right exit if you are not familiar with it.
Morning is calmest. Tours starting around 9–10am avoid the midday crowds and, in summer, the worst of the heat. See our best time to visit guide for seasonal detail.
The walk is fully outdoors. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather — the tour runs rain or shine.
Coin lockers are plentiful inside Tokyo Station if you want to drop a bag before the walk.

What to Bring

The route is an easy two-hour walk on mostly flat paths, but a little preparation helps:

Comfortable walking shoes
Water, especially on warm days — vending machines are available along the route
Weather-appropriate clothing or a compact umbrella
Your phone or camera for the photo spots your guide will point out

There is no dress code, and tattoos are welcome — so come as you are.

Ready to Book?

Now that you know exactly how to get there, the rest is easy. The Tokyo Imperial Palace walking tour is a small-group, 2-hour experience through Ōtemon Gate, the guardhouse ruins, and Ninomaru Garden, led by an expert local historian. Rated 4.9 out of 5 by more than 1,600 guests, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Check availability and book your date.