[2025 Tokyo Attraction] Travel Guide for State Guest House Akasaka Palace (Updated Jan)

AKASAKA PALACE It’s one of the State Guesthouses in Japan. It was fascinating to explore a place that was intricately designed and structured. I felt the peace while roaming around the area. It’s so clean and I enjoyed the breathing fresh air because there are trees and plants almost anywhere. I am extremely amazed on how brilliant are the minds of the people who worked on creating this majestic beauty.

#tokyotravel The moment I stepped through the grand, ornate doorway, I was transported to a bygone era of opulence and elegance. This wasn't just a guest house; it was a palace, a masterpiece of architectural design that left me breathless. Unfortunately you weren't allowed to take photos of the inside but you could get a free brochure with some really nice photos that you could then show your friends. The house is wonderfully maintained and the garden is also wonderful. I will definitely come back

📍 Address: 2-1-1 Moto-Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Features: Western-style palace architecture, Japan's state guest house, cultural heritage 🌟 The Ultimate Display of Architectural Art Akasaka Palace, officially known as the 'State Guest House Akasaka Palace,' is the only palace-style building in Japan constructed in a Western classical style. This grand and majestic building was completed in 1909 and initially served as the residence of the Crown Prince. It was later converted into a state guest house for hosting international dignitaries and holding international conferences. The entire palace combines Neo-Baroque and Rococo styles, exuding grandeur and resembling a European royal palace. The exterior is intricately carved, and the interior is lavishly decorated with crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings, and gold leaf carvings, highlighting the elegance of nobility. It is a perfect blend of architecture and art. 📸 Must-Visit Highlights 1. Main Gate and Fountain Plaza: The fountain plaza in front of the palace's main gate is an excellent photo spot. The fountain, paired with the magnificent building in the background, makes every shot look like a European court magazine cover. 2. Main Building Banquet Hall: The opulent style of the interior, with crystal chandeliers and painted glass ceilings, makes you feel like you're at a European court ball. 3. Garden Views: The clever combination of Japanese style and Western garden design offers different scenery in each season, especially during the cherry blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. 4. Japanese-Style Annex: In contrast to the Western-style main building, the annex is an elegant Japanese-style structure, reflecting traditional Japanese aesthetics and culture. The two styles complement each other, forming a unique contrast. 🎫 Visitor Information and Transportation Guide Opening Hours: • Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays, holidays deferred) • It is recommended to check the official website in advance to avoid any temporary changes. Ticket Information: • Main Building + Garden: 1,500 yen (adult) • Garden Only: 300 yen (adult) Transportation: • A 7-minute walk from Yotsuya Station on the Tokyo Metro, making it easily accessible. 🌸 Travel Tips 1. Book in Advance: Akasaka Palace has limited visitor slots, so it is recommended to book online in advance to avoid long queues on-site. 2. Dress Formally: There is a dress code for visiting the palace interior, so it is advised to dress appropriately to match the elegant atmosphere of the venue. 3. Photography Rules: Some areas inside the palace are restricted from photography. Please pay attention to the relevant regulations before entering and respect cultural property protection measures. 4. Audio Guide Service: Audio guide devices (including Chinese) are available on-site, providing a deeper understanding of the historical background and architectural stories. 🌟 Summary Review Tokyo Akasaka Palace, with its magnificent and elegant European palace architecture and unique cultural atmosphere, showcases Japan's perfect balance between tradition and modernity. It is not only a paradise for architecture enthusiasts but also a must-visit for culture and art lovers. Strolling through the palace and gardens, every detail is worth savoring. Whether appreciating the beauty of art or experiencing the noble atmosphere, Akasaka Palace offers a feast for both the eyes and the soul.

#DomesticTravelRecord I enjoyed afternoon tea in the luxurious space of the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace 🥰❤️ Recommended points━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━▶ Each savory dish was delicious▶ Enjoyed in the special space of the State Guest House's front garden▶ Only 6,600 yen for two people! ▶ They will pour hot water for your tea! ⚠️Important points━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━▶ Popularity makes it difficult to make a reservation▶︎ To enter the State Guest House, you need to pay an entrance fee (¥300) and go through a security check at the front garden▶︎ Because it's outdoors, it's essential to take precautions against the cold in the coming season 💬aynaa's comments━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━There was no time limit, so I was glad I could take my time❤️ 🍽Store information━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📍Store name: State Guest House Akasaka Palace 🗺Address: 2-1-1 Motoakasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051🚗Access: 7 minutes on foot from Yotsuya Station💳Payment method: Cash/card💵Budget: From 6,600 yen for 2 people #State Guest House Akasaka Palace #Tokyo sightseeing #Afternoon tea

The State Guest House was originally built in 1909 and was renovated as a guest house in 1974. To commemorate its 50th anniversary this year, photography in the Kacho-no-Ma room of the main building has been permitted for a limited time. The Kacho-no-Ma room is used for banquets and has a calm atmosphere. It features three chandeliers, each weighing 1,125 kg, and a ceiling adorned with 24 oil paintings and 12 gold leaf paintings based on a light blue theme. At the back, there is a French-made cabinet (mirror) with a chrysanthemum crest engraved on the top. The walls are decorated with 30 cloisonné enamel pieces of flowers and birds. Additionally, the door handles are intricately carved, including four figures shining in gold. Everything in this room is top-notch, making it truly a palace. I took my time to thoroughly explore each detail. Next year, for the 51st anniversary, I hope they will allow photography again... *Photography is usually not allowed, but tours are possible. Opening Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM Closed: Every Wednesday Admission Fees: Garden & Main Building: 1,500 yen Garden Only: 300 yen Garden, Main Building & Japanese Annex: 2,000 yen (reservation required) Access: 7-minute walk from Yotsuya Station Entrance: State Guest House, West Gate (Main Gate is used as an exit)

🌟 The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, was built in 1909 as the Togu Palace and is the only Neo-Baroque style palace building in Japan. ❤ The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, is a culmination of the full force of Japan's architecture, fine arts, and crafts community at the time, showcasing the height of authentic modern Western-style architecture reached during the Meiji period. After the 1950s, Japan gradually returned to the international community, and the opportunities to welcome foreign guests increased. Therefore, it underwent a large-scale renovation to transform it into a national guest reception facility, and together with the newly built Japanese-style annex, it took a new step as the current State Guest House from 1974 to the present day. 👍 After the large-scale renovation in 2009, it has been designated as a national treasure as one of Japan's representative buildings. To this day, it has welcomed many kings, presidents, prime ministers, and other dignitaries, and has also been used for international venues such as the G7 meetings. ✅ The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace consists of the Asahi Hall, the Hiyoku Hall, the Hagoromo Hall, the Kacho Hall, and the Japanese-style Annex. The front entrance and central staircase are known as the gateway to a world of splendor, and opening the heavy iron doors of the front entrance reveals the "Entrance Hall" with a deep red carpet laid on a black and white checkered floor. The floor of the Entrance Hall is described as a checkerboard pattern in Western style, similar to a chessboard, made of white marble from Italy and black Kurochiku stone from Japan. The same pattern can be seen in the Palace of Versailles in France. 📝 Special Note: All photography and recording activities are prohibited inside the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace. The entrance for visitors is the West Gate. 📍 Address: 2-1-1 Moto-Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 🚉 Transportation: Take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Namboku Line, or JR Chuo Line and get off at Yotsuya Station. 💰 Fee: There is an audio guide available (200 yen) for the main building, adults 1500 yen, under 18 years old 500 yen, and free for children under 12 years old. 🕙 Opening Hours: Main building, 10:00 to 17:00. Annex and garden, 10:30 to 15:00, with 10 entry times (every 30 minutes).

#thingstodo This is an active government complex. You will need to go through airport like security to get in . No photos inside but they do give you a nice book. It is used for state affairs and dinners so check the website before you go to see if it’s open to the public. The Japanese Annex is extra cost and go in a group. It does remind you of a European palace. Workers inside are happy to answer questions on each room . Go to the back for best views. Subway nearby about 400 meters.