24-year-old Michiko Shoda last week crossed the blue moat surrounding the Imperial Palace. Behind her lay the roaring, garish city of Tokyo, with huge advertising balloons adrift above the rooftops.

When it was first dug, the Chidorigafuchi moat was meant to keep people away from the shogun’s stronghold of Edo Castle, ...

Cherry blossoms have bloomed in Tokyo, marking the start of sakura season. Full bloom is expected by March 30—perfect for ...

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko moved out of their longtime residence, the Akasaka Imperial Residence, on Sept. 6. They are moving into the renovated Imperial Palace and ...

Located 700 meters west of Tokyo Station, this is one of the older hotels in the city, located in a prime spot facing the eastern moat of the Imperial Palace grounds. All rooms have lovely views ...

This cherry blossom festival, one of ... near the Imperial Palace, around which there are some 250 sakura trees. During the day, you can take a stroll along the Chidorigafuchi moat or even rent ...

and one kilometer south of the Imperial Palace moat. Opened in 1962, the Okura remains one of Tokyo's top commercial hotels despite competition from more expensive hotels, such as The Ritz-Carlton ...

You'd think the Imperial Palace would be mobbed with tourists, but it's not. You can credit the lack of crowds to an application policy, which limits the number of visitors. That's because the ...