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

Visits by the General Public to the Imperial Palace for New Year’s Greetings will take place on January 2, 2024, as detailed below.

1. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will appear at the balcony of the Chowa-Den Hall to greet the visitors gathered in the Totei (East Court) five times.
 Other Imperial Family members appearing with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will be announced.

• 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.

 Entrance Gate:
  Main Gate (Nijubashi)(9:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. (entry up to 2:10 p.m.))

 Exits Gates:
  Sakashita-mon Gate, Kikyo-mon Gate, Ote-mon Gate, Inui-mon Gate

2. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace will be closed on the day. However, the departing visitors may walk through the East Gardens and exit from Ote-mon Gate.

3. A large number of visitors are expected to come to the Imperial Palace grounds for the occasion. Please bear in mind the following points:

 (1) The entrance gate for the visitors will close at 2:10 p.m. Please arrive well in advance of the closing time, as there will be a baggage inspection at the gate. At closing time, please kindly cooperate with instructions issued by the staff.

 (2) Visitors will enter the Imperial Palace grounds in lines which are to be formed before passing the entrance gate. Visitors are asked to stay in line and not to stop the procession.
In addition, when entering and exiting the Imperial Palace, please kindly follow the guidance of the staff. In order to allow as many people as possible to visit, please do not stay for more than one appearance.

 (3) To prevent congestion and possible danger, baggage inspections and security checks will be conducted. Please keep your personal belongings to a minimum by leaving your carry-on bags and other large items in station lockers, etc. Please do not bring sharp objects such as knives and scissors.

 (4) The courtyard in front of the Imperial Palace is graveled and there are slopes inside the grounds. Please avoid wearing high-heeled shoes or any other footwear that is difficult to walk in.

 (5) Entry is only allowed via the Main Gate (Nijubashi).

4. Visitors will not be allowed to enter if they bring an animal with them (except for guide dogs); bring dangerous objects, flagpoles, small unmanned aircraft (drones), large items of luggage that could impede the progress of the event, or any other item that could harm or disturb other people; or behave in any other way deemed detrimental to the safe management of the event.

5. Visitors must not engage in any of the following acts while in the Imperial Palace grounds.

 (1) Enter off-limits zones;

 (2) Smoke;

 (3) Drink alcohol;

 (4) Destroy or remove palace facilities and other objects;

 (5) Use photo equipment, such as selfie-sticks, tripods, or stepladders, or take photographs or videos for commercial purposes;

 (6) Enter by bicycle or other vehicles, or attempt to play sports;

 (7) Organize an assembly or stage a demonstration;

 (8) Affix posters, or distribute or disperse fliers;

 (9) Discard rubbish or make loud noises;

 (10) Catch, pick, kill or harm animals, plants or fish;

 (11) Sell or distribute goods, seek to raise funds or conduct commercial performances; or

 (12) Commit any other acts deemed detrimental to the safe management of the event, such as violating public order or morals in the Imperial Palace grounds.

6. Other matters

 (1) Visits by the general public to the Imperial Palace for New Year’s Greetings may be cancelled in the event of heavy snowfall or other inclement weather, etc.

 (2) Visitors are requested to comply with the following:

 (3) No parking space is available at the site. As stopping/parking of vehicles is prohibited on the roads in the vicinity of the Imperial Palace, please refrain from parking on the roadside or boarding/alighting from vehicles along the streets. Please use public transportation as parking facilities around the Imperial Place could be crowded on the day.

 (4) No rental wheelchairs are available on site. Visitors who require a wheelchair are asked to please bring their own.

 (5) There are specially designated spaces available for wheelchair users in the Totei (East Court).

 (6) In the Totei (East Court), sign language interpretation of His Majesty’s address will be provided.