Visit of the General Public to the Palace for the New Year Greeting

Photo Description
Visit of the General Public to the Palace
for the New Year Greeting
(Photo:Imperial Household Agency)
  • Date:
    • January 2, 2010
  • Hours:
    • 9:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. (entry up to 2:10 p.m.)
      The entrance gate (Nijubashi) is closed one hour earlier than every year.
  • Entrance:
    • Main Gate (Nijubashi)
  • Exits:
    • Sakashita-mon Gate, Kikyo-mon Gate, Inui-mon Gate
  • Appearances:
    • First and Second: Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and other adult members of the Imperial Family.
    • Third Appearance onwards: Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino.
    • First Appearance: Around 10:10 a.m.
    • Second Appearance: Around 11:00 a.m.
    • Third Appearance: Around 11:50 a.m.
    • Fourth Appearance: Around 1:30 p.m.
    • Fifth Appearance: Around 2:20 p.m.
  • 1.The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are closed on the New Year Greeting.
  • 2.A large number of well-wishers are expected to come to the Imperial Palace Grounds on the New Year Greeting. Please bear in mind the following points:
    • (1)The entrance gate for well-wishers is closed at 2:10 p.m.. Well-wishers are asked to arrive in good time.
    • (2)Well-wishers are requested to enter the Imperial Palace Grounds in lines, to be formed before passage through the designated Main Gate. Well-wishers are also asked to stay in line and not to hold up its procession.
    • (3)Well-wishers may have to go through steep pathways in the Imperial Palace Grounds. There is danger of tripping in congestion, so please watch your step, especially when wearing high-heeled shoes or traditional clogs.
    • (4)Entrance is not allowed from the gates designated as exits.
  • 3. Entrance is not allowed at the gate to those who:
    • bring an animal with them (except an assistance dog accompanying a physically handicapped person),
    • carry dangerous objects,
    • carry a flagstaff, a large item of luggage that could impede the progress of the event or any other item that could harm or disturb other people;
    • behave in any other ways deemed harmful to the management of the event.
  • 4.Well-wishers who commit any of the following acts in the Imperial Palace Grounds may be asked to leave the site:
    • (1)Enter into off-limit zones,
    • (2)Pose a risk of fire, such as smoking in non-smoking areas,
    • (3)Destroy or remove Palace facilities and other objects,
    • (4)Take a photograph or a film as a commercial activity,
    • (5)Organize an assembly or stage a demonstration,
    • (6)Affixe a poster, or distribute or disperse fliers,
    • (7)Commit any other acts deemed harmful to the management of the event, such as violating order or discipline in the Imperial Palace Grounds.
  • 5.Miscellaneous
    • (1)In case of severe weather conditions, members of the Imperial Family might refrain from appearing on the balcony.
    • (2)To avoid too much congestion and danger, well-wishers may be asked to deposit their belongings at the gate before they enter.
    • (3)No parking spaces is available at the site.
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