State Guest House Akasaka Palace — Attraction in Tokyo

State Guest House Akasaka Palace, known as Akasaka Rikyu in Japanese, is a historic and prestigious venue located in Tokyo, Japan. Originally built as a residence for the Imperial Family, the palace now serves as an official accommodation for visiting foreign dignitaries and heads of state, showcasing Japan's rich cultural heritage and hospitality.

Historical Significance：

Akasaka Palace holds significant historical and architectural importance. It was completed in 1909 during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and designed by Katayama Tokuma, a renowned Japanese architect who blended Western neoclassical and traditional Japanese architectural elements. The palace's design reflects the influence of European palaces, featuring grand halls, elegant corridors, and lush gardens that exude imperial splendor.

Architecture and Gardens：

The architecture of Akasaka Palace is characterized by its graceful symmetry, ornate detailing, and meticulous craftsmanship. The main building, known as the Honkan, is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan and is often compared to European palaces for its opulence and grandeur. Visitors can explore the spacious reception rooms, banquet halls, and ceremonial chambers adorned with exquisite artwork and furnishings.

Surrounding the palace are beautiful gardens landscaped in the traditional Japanese style, featuring serene ponds, meticulously manicured lawns, and seasonal flowers. The gardens provide a tranquil oasis within the bustling city of Tokyo, offering a picturesque backdrop for events and receptions held at the palace.

Function as a State Guest House：

Akasaka Palace serves as an official residence and venue for hosting state banquets, diplomatic meetings, and cultural events attended by heads of state and dignitaries from around the world. The palace's role in international diplomacy underscores its significance as a symbol of Japan's diplomatic relations and cultural exchange initiatives.

Public Access and Tours:

While Akasaka Palace primarily functions as a state guest house, guided tours are occasionally offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience the palace's architectural beauty and historical legacy. Visitors can admire the elegant interiors, learn about the palace's history, and stroll through the gardens under the guidance of knowledgeable tour guides. Cultural Heritage Preservation

The preservation and conservation of Akasaka Palace's architectural heritage and cultural artifacts are carefully overseen by the Japanese government. Efforts are continuously made to maintain the palace's original charm and ensure its structural integrity for future generations to appreciate and admire.

State Guest House Akasaka Palace stands as a testament to Japan's rich cultural heritage, architectural prowess, and diplomatic traditions. Its majestic presence, combined with its historical significance and serene surroundings, makes it a distinguished venue for hosting international dignitaries and showcasing Japan's hospitality on the world stage.

Visiting Akasaka Palace offers a glimpse into Japan's imperial past and its ongoing commitment to preserving cultural treasures that embody the nation's...

Akasaka Palace is not ready for overseas tourists. The rules. So many rules. Stand here, not there. Hold your drink bottle, but don't drink it. No trash cans (TBF, that's true of most of Japan). No bathrooms. No photos. Cash only, or you have to go to a service counter. And that's just the security check BEFORE getting in. No signs, videos, or diagrams explain these reassuringly (to the domestic audience nostalgic for Japan's Meiji-era halcyon days) rigorous rules. Instead, they are customarily recited to each visitor personally by a series of staff in earnestly formal Japanese. DO NOT LOOK LIKE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND or they will restart and you will be unable to advance from this explanatory time-loop forever. Once inside, however, the volunteer guides hold a wealth of information on the decor, a mix of belle-epoque Occidental and aspirational Oriental, and will jump at the chance to convey its rich history, creatively using whatever English they know. The aging clientele means that staff are very cognizant of accessibility for guests who find walking difficult. They will proactively offer to take guests by service elevators (housed in some of the more interesting parts of the building, IMO) if the stairs look to be a challenge. Is Versailles-in-Yotsuya worth the hassle of entry (and ¥1500)? I'll let you decide, but just know that even the royal family didn't...

No reservation so I visited only the main house and the main garden. The annex requires reservation.

Conclusion: Not recommended to one with a tight schedule or budget, especially if one has visited Versailles, where tourists can walk and shoot photos at will.

The garden is commonplace. Nothing but a fountain. Beyond the fountain seems to be some interesting traditional JP garden which is unsurprisingly inaccessible to tourists.

Four (or five) chambers are open to visit. I tried to appreciate the interior decoration, but most of my attention was drawn to guards and surveillance cameras. Literally everywhere and very visible. No photos, and no place to take notes on paper. (No phone usage - not just 'no photo')

One can only walk on the designated route. I went one step off the red carpet in some corridor and a guard stopped me. Thankfully I didn't damage the delicate marble floor. I am also grateful that I was allowed to use the banister and there was even a staff telling me this.

1500 for a prisoner's experience. I heard ありがとう ございます from every staff and guard but I don't know what for. Perhaps for my ticket.

The review has no zero star so two stars is actually one. Staff are generally friendly. I saw a wheelchair user. Chairs for elderly people....