Visit of the General Public to the Imperial Palace for His Majesty’s Birthday

Visit of the General Public to the Imperial Palace for His Majesty’s Birthday

Visits by the General Public to the Imperial Palace for celebration of His Majesty the Emperor’s Birthday will take place in the morning of February 23, 2024 as follows:

1. Appearances in the morning

His Majesty the Emperor together with Her Majesty the Empress, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko and Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino are scheduled to appear at the balcony of the Chowa-Den Hall to greet the visitors gathered in the Totei (East Court) 3 times in the morning.



• First appearance: Around 10:20 a.m.
• Second appearance: Around 11:00 a.m.
• Third appearance: Around 11:40 a.m.


• Entrance Gate:
  • Main Gate (Nijubashi)(9:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.)
• Exit Gates:
  • Sakashita-mon Gate, Kikyo-mon Gate, Ote-mon Gate, Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate.

2. Visitors’ books in the afternoon

For the celebration of His Majesty the Emperor’s Birthday, the Imperial Household Agency will provide an official congratulatory book. The book will open for signing at the following dates and times:



• 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on 23 February
• Venue:
  • Imperial Palace grounds, in front of the Imperial Household office building
• Entrance Gate:
  • Sakashita-mon Gate(12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
• Exit Gates:
  • Kikyo-mon Gate, Ote-mon Gate, Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate.
    (Exit Gates close at 4:00 p.m.)

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are closed on the day. However the departing visitors may walk through the East Gardens and exit from Ote-mon Gate, Hirakawa-mon Gate or Kitahanebashi-mon Gate.

3. A large number of visitors are expected to come to the Imperial Palace grounds on the Emperor's Birthday. Please bear in mind the following points:

(1) The entrance gate for the visitors will close at 11:20 a.m. in the morning and at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Please arrive well in advance of closing times, as there will be baggage inspection at the gate. It may take more than 1 hour to get to the Main Gate from the Imperial Palace Plaza due to the turnout anticipated.
Latecomers for the Imperial appearances in the morning may need to be referred to the Visitors’ books in the afternoon. We ask for your cooperation with the guidance issued on the spot in view of the closing times. In addition, in the case of a large number of visitors, those visiting the Imperial Palace for the balcony appearance may be asked by Imperial Household staff to visit the signing in the afternoon instead.

(2) Visitors are to 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 while the line is moving.
In addition, when entering and exiting the Imperial Palace, please follow the guidance of staff. In order to allow as many people as possible to visit, please do not stay for more than one appearance in the morning.

(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) Entrance is not allowed from gates designated as exits neither in the morning nor in the afternoon.

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 His Majesty’s Birthday may be cancelled in the event of heavy snowfall or other inclement weather, etc.

(2) Visitors are requested to comply with the following:
a) Refrain from visiting if you have symptoms of a cold such as a cough or fever, or if you have shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
b) Wear a mask when recommended and as appropriate.
c) Cooperate with requests to maintain distancing from others.
d) Refrain from shouting in close proximity to other people during crowded times.

(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.