Tokyo - the Imperial Palace

For this tour, you need to make a reservation with the Imperial Household Agency.  I think about a month in advance, and you will receive a confirmation which you can print off and take with you.  The advantage is, that you can skip the hoards of tour groups that will be waiting to get in, you go straight to the front.  You will then be escorted by Palace tour guides and separated by language.  When I was there, there were Japanese, English and Chinese tour groups.

The tour is just a portion of the grounds, you don't enter any buildings except for the tourist center & gift store. When I was there it was shortened because they were setting up for an event.

Ginkgo Trees

Kikyo-mon Gate

The Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo; lit. 'Imperial Residence') is the main residence of the emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda district of the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo and contains several buildings including the Fukiage Palace (吹上御所, Fukiage gosho) where the emperor has his living quarters, the main palace (宮殿, Kyūden) where various ceremonies and receptions take place, some residences of the Imperial Family, an archive, museums and administrative offices.

The 1.15-square-kilometer (0.44 sq mi) palace grounds and gardens are built on the site of the old Edo Castle.^[1]

(from Wikipedia)

Yamashita-dori Street

Fujimi Yagura - three story keep, reconstructed in 1659, was a watch tower and one of the oldest remnants of Edo Castle.

"Matsu-no-to" lighting tower

Kyuden - Imperial Palace

Is actually 7 wings, including Seiden State Function Hall, Homeiden State Banquet Hall, Chowaden Reception Hall, dining room, drawing room and the Emperor's daily office.

I believe this was a Pheonix on the roof, which would make the most sense, since there are plaques everywhere documenting the destruction and rebuilding of sites due to tsunami's, earthquakes, and fires. I'm thinking this is also why the Japanese are so unified, there's nothing like rebuilding that brings people together.

One of the guards keeping our groups moving along and not intermingling.  They were very strict about that.  They also kept the incoming trucks and cars separate from the tourists.