<strong>Imperial Palace: </strong>Japan's Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate on April 30 and his eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. On May 4, the newly-crowned emporer and his wife will make their first public appearance in their new roles at Tokyo's historic Imperial Palace.
Imperial Palace: Japan's Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate on April 30 and his eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. On May 4, the newly-crowned emporer and his wife will make their first public appearance in their new roles at Tokyo's historic Imperial Palace.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Public greetings: </strong>Aside from some pre-registered guided tours, the palace grounds are usually only open to the public twice a year -- for the imperial family's New Year greeting on January 2 and the abdicating Emperor Akihito's birthday on December 23.
Public greetings: Aside from some pre-registered guided tours, the palace grounds are usually only open to the public twice a year -- for the imperial family's New Year greeting on January 2 and the abdicating Emperor Akihito's birthday on December 23.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Japan's centuries-old Imperial Palace:</strong> The palace, a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station, was first built in the late 1800s. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the same style.
Japan's centuries-old Imperial Palace: The palace, a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station, was first built in the late 1800s. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the same style.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>A popular destination: </strong>More than 150,000 people turned up to greet the royal family during the New Year greeting this year.
A popular destination: More than 150,000 people turned up to greet the royal family during the New Year greeting this year.
JIJI PRESS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Guided tours: </strong>Official guided tours take place year-round. These kick off at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily, except for Sunday, Monday and days when the palace is hosting special events.
Guided tours: Official guided tours take place year-round. These kick off at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily, except for Sunday, Monday and days when the palace is hosting special events.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kikyo-mon Gate:</strong> Starting at Kikyo-mon Gate, the 75-minute tour takes visitors to 11 historical sites on the Imperial Grounds.
Kikyo-mon Gate: Starting at Kikyo-mon Gate, the 75-minute tour takes visitors to 11 historical sites on the Imperial Grounds.
Carl Court/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>The Imperial Palace East Gardens: </strong>The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open all year round except Mondays, Fridays and special occasions.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens: The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open all year round except Mondays, Fridays and special occasions.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Cherry blossoms: </strong>The palace's surrounding gardens and parks, once part of the Imperial Grounds, are now popular urban getaways for locals and tourists. They are also some of the best places to view cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms: The palace's surrounding gardens and parks, once part of the Imperial Grounds, are now popular urban getaways for locals and tourists. They are also some of the best places to view cherry blossoms.
Carl Court/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Kitanomaru Park: </strong>The Chidorigafuchi Moat surrounding Kitanomaru Park, north of the Imperial Palace, is particularly stunning.
Kitanomaru Park: The Chidorigafuchi Moat surrounding Kitanomaru Park, north of the Imperial Palace, is particularly stunning.
Carl Court/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images