3-Hour Imperial Gardens, Spanish

Free tour Imperial Palace gardens (Tokyo Castle) and Hibiya

★ 4.92/5 718 reviews on GuruWalk

Free pay what you want

Run by an independent local guide on GuruWalk

Takes you to the guide's GuruWalk page, where a free place is reserved directly. Nothing is paid here, and the walk is free, pay what you want.

Duration: 3 hours
Language: Spanish
Meeting point: Kudankita, Chiyoda
Where it walks: Chiyoda
Guide: Ignacio
What it costs: Free, pay what you want

Overview

This walk runs in Spanish and lasts 3 hours, starting outside exit 2 of Kudanshita Station in the Chiyoda district at 9:00am. Like every walk on this site, it is free to book and you pay the guide what you think the walk was worth at the end.

Gravel paths and old stone foundations inside the Imperial Palace East Gardens

The theme is the old Edo castle ground that became the Imperial Palace, and the green space around it. The GuruWalk listing describes a loop that begins near Kitanomaru Park and the Nippon Budokan, moves into the East Gardens with the Ninomaru Gardens and the remains of Edo Castle, then leaves through Otemon toward Nijubashi bridge and Sakuradamon Gate. Two stops are marked optional by the operator: Yasukuni Shrine at the start and Tokyo Station at the end.

Because it is a 3-hour walk with gardens, castle stonework and long approach roads, it suits travellers with steady legs and a free morning. It is aimed at Spanish speakers, since the tour runs only in Spanish. No pickup is included, so you make your own way to the station exit.

Itinerary

Stop	What Happens
Meet at Kudanshita Station	The group meets outside exit 2 of Kudanshita Station in Kudankita, Chiyoda, at 9:00am.
Optional Yasukuni Shrine	The GuruWalk listing marks Yasukuni Shrine as an optional stop before the main route.
Kitanomaru Park and Budokan	The listed route passes Kitanomaru Park and the Nippon Budokan on the way toward the palace ground.
East Gardens and Edo Castle	The walk enters the East Gardens, taking in the Ninomaru Gardens and the remains of Edo Castle, and leaves through Otemon.
Nijubashi and Sakuradamon	The listed route continues to Nijubashi bridge and Sakuradamon Gate on the palace perimeter.
Optional Tokyo Station finish	Tokyo Station is an optional final stop in the operator's description, so the endpoint may vary with the group.

What To Expect From The Tour

A 3-hour outdoor walk through gardens and palace grounds. Here is what helps before you reserve a spot on GuruWalk.

Language. The tour runs only in Spanish. If your Spanish is not strong enough for three hours of guiding, this walk is not the right fit.
Start time. The meeting point is outside exit 2 of Kudanshita Station at 9:00am. Arriving a little before the hour is sensible, since the group sets off together.
Footwear and pace. Three hours of walking calls for comfortable shoes. The GuruWalk listing gives no accessibility details, so raise any concerns with the guide on GuruWalk before booking.

Duration	Language	Meeting point	What it costs
3 hours	Spanish	Kudankita, Chiyoda	Free, pay what you want

Optional stops. The operator marks both Yasukuni Shrine and Tokyo Station as optional. The shape of the route can therefore shift with the group.
Weather. The whole route is outdoors.
Payment. Booking is free and you tip the guide what you feel the walk was worth at the end. Reserve your place on the walk's own GuruWalk page.

Common issues. The tour runs in Spanish only, which is the main practical limit for many travellers. Three hours on foot means it needs a full free morning and reasonable stamina. The GuruWalk listing marks the start and end stops as optional, so the exact shape of the route can shift. The Imperial Palace East Gardens are closed every Monday and Friday and from 28 December to 3 January, so check the date of your walk against those closures before you set out.

Free Sights Nearby

Place	Free Or Ticketed	What Is Free	What You Still Pay For
Kanda Myojin	Free	Shrine precinct above Ochanomizu and Akihabara; no entry charge found on the official site.	Prayer services and amulets are paid.
Hie Shrine	Free	Shrine precinct gates open 6:00 to 17:00 on the official page; no entry charge listed.	Treasure hall and prayer reception 9:00 to 16:00 are separate services.
Imperial Palace East Gardens	Free	Admission is free. Open 9:00 to 16:00 from November to the end of February (entry to 15:30); 9:00 to 16:30 in October.	Nothing to pay. Season hours widen to 18:00 in summer.

What To Know Before A Free Walk

Is The Tour Really Free?

Yes, in the pay what you want sense. Booking costs nothing and you pay the guide what you think the walk was worth at the end.

What Language Is The Tour In?

Spanish only. The GuruWalk listing states Spanish as the sole language, so this walk suits travellers comfortable following three hours of Spanish commentary.

Where And When Does The Walk Meet?

Outside exit 2 of Kudanshita Station in Kudankita, Chiyoda, at 9:00am. There is no pickup; you make your own way there.

Are Entry Fees Extra?

The GuruWalk listing does not state any included or excluded items, and it does not mention entry fees for the stops on the route. If any fee questions matter to you, ask the guide on GuruWalk before booking.

Is The Walk Suitable For Children Or Limited Mobility?

The operator states no age or mobility policy on GuruWalk, so contact the guide there before booking. Bear in mind the duration, three hours on foot through gardens and castle ground.

How Do I Book And What If Plans Change?

Reserve a spot on the walk's own GuruWalk page.