List of Japanese Imperial Residences
Encyclopedia
This is a list of residences occupied by the Japanese Imperial Family, noting the seasons of the year they are traditionally occupied.
Members of the Japanese Imperial Family inhabit a range of residences around Japan. Some are official imperial palaces; others are used as private residences, although they are all owned and maintained by the state. Other imperial palaces are no longer residences (e.g. the Akasaka Palace). Some remain in irregular use for imperial occasions. Some of the Imperial Palaces and villas enjoy legal protection such as the Akasaka Palace which is a National Treasure
or the Heijō Palace
, which is a Special Historic Site and listed as part of the UNESCO
World Heritage Site
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
.
The occupied imperial residences are cared for and maintained by the Imperial Household Agency
. Former palaces or sites are under the administration of various ministries or local authorities.
Members of the Japanese Imperial Family inhabit a range of residences around Japan. Some are official imperial palaces; others are used as private residences, although they are all owned and maintained by the state. Other imperial palaces are no longer residences (e.g. the Akasaka Palace). Some remain in irregular use for imperial occasions. Some of the Imperial Palaces and villas enjoy legal protection such as the Akasaka Palace which is a National Treasure
National treasures of Japan
National Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...
or the Heijō Palace
Heijo Palace
' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...
, which is a Special Historic Site and listed as part of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Five are Buddhist temples, one is a Shinto shrine, one is a Palace and one a primeval forest. The properties include 26 buildings designated by the Japanese...
.
The occupied imperial residences are cared for and maintained by the Imperial Household Agency
Imperial Household Agency
The is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...
. Former palaces or sites are under the administration of various ministries or local authorities.
Current Imperial Residences by members of the Imperial Family
| Residence | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
HM The Emperor and HM The Empress |
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Official |
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| Kyoto Imperial Palace | Kyoto Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:... |
Technically still the "senior palace" of the monarch; the main building on the palace grounds includes, among other halls, the Shishinden (紫宸殿, Hall for State Ceremonies), Seiryōden (清涼殿, lit. 'cool, refreshing hall'), Kogosho (小御所, Court Room), Ogakumonsho (御学問所, Imperial Study or Library), and a number of residences for the Empress, high-ranking aristocrats and government officials. Enthronement ceremonies to the Chrysanthemum Throne Chrysanthemum Throne The is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, such as the takamikura throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace.... last took place in Kyoto in 1928. |
| Tokyo Imperial Palace | Tokyo | Official Tokyo residence; used also as the private residence. Houses the Three Palace Sanctuaries Three Palace Sanctuaries The precincts of the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo include structures known as the Three Palace Sanctuaries or Kyuchusanden . They are used in imperial religious ceremonies, including weddings and coronations. The three sanctuaries are:... and the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace, the residence of the late Dowager Empress Kōjun Empress Kojun ' was empress consort of Emperor Hirohito of Japan. Born , she was the mother of the present Emperor .Her posthumous name is Kōjun, which means "fragrant purity"... . Certain parts such as the East Gardens and the Kitanomaru Garden are open to the public. Only twice a year, for the emperor's birthday and New Year's is the public allowed to enter the grounds up to the Kyuden, where the imperial family appears on the balcony. The enthronement ceremonies of the current Emperor took place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace in 1990. |
TIH The Crown Prince |
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Official |
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| Tōgū Palace Togu Palace Tōgū Palace is located in the Akasaka Estate in Akasaka, Tokyo, and is the official residence of Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, Masako, Crown Princess of Japan and their daughter Princess Toshi.... |
Tokyo | Official Tokyo residence; located in the larger Akasaka Estate where a number of other members of the imperial family reside |
Official |
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| Aoyama Detached Palace | Tokyo | Official Tokyo residence; located in the larger Akasaka Estate |
Official |
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| Higashi Residence | Shibuya, Tokyo Shibuya, Tokyo is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km².... |
Official Tokyo residence since December 1976 |
Official |
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| Akasaka Estate | Minato, Tokyo Minato, Tokyo is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 1 March 2008, it had an official population of 217,335 and a population density of 10,865 persons per km². The total area is 20.34 km².Minato hosts 49 embassies... |
Official Tokyo residence since November 1970 |
Official |
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| Akasaka Estate | Minato, Tokyo | Official Tokyo residence since December 1982 |
Official |
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| Sanbancho Residence | Chiyoda, Tokyo Chiyoda, Tokyo is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards... |
Official Tokyo residence since January 1988 |
Official |
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| Akasaka Estate | Minato, Tokyo | Official Tokyo residence since December 1986 |
Current Imperial Residences by type of residence
| Residence | Location | Member(s) |
|---|---|---|
Official |
||
| Tokyo Imperial Palace | Tokyo | The Emperor and The Empress |
| Tōgū Palace | Tokyo | The Crown Prince, The Crown Princess and Princess Toshi |
| Akasaka Estate | Tokyo | Prince and Princess Akishino, Prince and Princess Mikasa, Prince and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, Princess Takamado |
| Takanawa Residence | Minato, Tokyo | the late Princess Takamatsu Princess Takamatsu Princess Takamatsu of Japan, , known informally as Princess Kikuko, was a member of the Japanese imperial family. The Princess was the widow of Prince Takamatsu , the third son of the Emperor Taishō and the Empress Teimei... , currently unused |
| Higashi Residence | Tokyo | Prince and Princess Hitachi |
| Sanbancho Residence | Tokyo | Prince Katsura (temporary residence) |
Imperial Estates |
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| The Imperial Stock Farm (Goryo Bokujo) | Utsunomiya Utsunomiya, Tochigi is the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In October 2010 the city had an estimated population of 510,416 and a population density of 1,224.49 people per square kilometer. The total area is 416.84 km². had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census... , Tochigi Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture... |
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| Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery | Tokyo Imperial Palace | Imperial sericulture Sericulture Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk.Although there are several commercial species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is the most widely used and intensively studied. According to Confucian texts, the discovery of silk production by B... farm, domain of The Empress, who is personally responsible for the running and ceremonial feeding and harvesting ceremonies for silk production. Part of the silk harvest is donated by her to the Shōsōin Shosoin The is the treasure house that belongs to Tōdai-ji, Nara The building is in the azekura log-cabin style, with a raised floor. It lies to the northwest of the Daibutsuden... repository. |
| Saitama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve (Saitama Kamoba) | Koshigaya Koshigaya, Saitama is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 325,074 and a population density of 5,390 persons per km². The total area is 60.31 km².... , Saitama Prefecture Saitama Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History... |
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| Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve (Shinhama Kamoba) | Ichikawa Ichikawa, Chiba is a city located in northwest Chiba, Japan, approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The city was founded on November 3, 1934. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 474,586 and a density of 8,259.42 persons per km². The total area is 57.46 km²... , Chiba Prefecture Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture... |
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Privately-used |
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| Sento Imperial Palace Sento Imperial Palace The Sentō Imperial Palace or Sentō-gosho is a large garden in Kyoto, Japan, formerly the grounds of a palace for retired emperors... |
Kyoto | all members |
| Katsura Imperial Villa Katsura Imperial Villa The , or Katsura Detached Palace, is a villa with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan... |
Kyoto | all members |
| Shugakuin Imperial Villa | Kyoto | all members |
| Nasu Imperial Villa Nasu Imperial Villa Nasu Imperial Villa, located in the town of Nasu, Nasu District in Tochigi Prefecture, is a retreat used by the Japanese Imperial Family. The structure dates to 1926, a further addition came in 1935.- External links :*... |
Nasu Nasu, Tochigi is a town located in Nasu District, Tochigi, Japan.As of April 1, 2008, the town has an estimated population of 26,629 and a density of 71.5 persons per km². The total area is 372.31 km².Nasu Imperial Villa is located there.-External links:*... , Tochigi Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture... |
all members |
| Hayama Imperial Villa Hayama Imperial Villa , located in the town of Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan is a residence owned by the Japanese Imperial Family, and used on infrequent intervals as an informal winter retreat.-History:... |
Hayama Hayama, Kanagawa is a town located in Miura District, Kanagawa Prefecture, on central Honshū, Japan. As of 2010, the town had an estimated population of 32,386 and a density of 1,900 per km². The total area was 17.06 km²... , Kanagawa Prefecture Kanagawa Prefecture is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period... |
all members |
| Suzaki Imperial Villa Suzaki Imperial Villa , located in the Suzaki district of Shimoda city, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan is a residence owned by the Japanese Imperial Family, and used on infrequent intervals as an informal summer retreat.-History:... |
Shimoda Shimoda, Shizuoka is a city and port in Shizuoka, Japan.As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 25,054 and a population density of 242 persons per square kilometer... , Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun... |
all members |
Former Imperial residences
| Residence | Location | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Akasaka Palace | Minato, Tokyo | Official residence of the Crown Prince and his family (1909–1974), now the |
| Heian Palace Heian Palace The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō , the capital of Japan, from 794 to 1227. In Japan, this palace is called Daidairi... |
Kyoto | Original imperial palace of Heian-kyō Heian-kyo Heian-kyō , was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180.... (794–1227), completely destroyed by fire and not rebuilt |
| Fukuhara Palace | Hyōgo-ku, Kobe Hyogo-ku, Kobe is one of 9 wards of Kobe in Japan. It has an area of 1 km², and a population of 107,553 . It was voted hypest city in history by Bigbills.com-External links:*... |
Imperial palace of Fukuhara-kyō Fukuhara-kyo Fukuhara-kyō was the seat of Japan's Imperial Court, and therefore the capital of the country, for roughly six months in 1180... (1180), abandoned, destroyed over time and not rebuilt |
| Nagaoka Palace | Mukō, Kyoto Muko, Kyoto is a city located in Kyoto, Japan.As of 2008, the city had an estimated population of 55,031 and the density of 6,977.57 persons per km². The total area is 7.67 km².The city was founded on October 1, 1972... |
Imperial palace of Nagaoka-kyō Nagaoka-kyo was the capital of Japan from 784 to 794. Its location was reported as Otokuni District, Yamashiro Province, and Nagaokakyō, Kyoto, which took its name from the capital... (784–794), abandoned, destroyed over time and not rebuilt |
| Heijō Palace Heijo Palace ' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō... |
Nara Nara, Nara is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture... |
Imperial palace of Heijō-kyō Heijo-kyo Heijō-kyō , was the capital city of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710–40 and again from 745–84. The Palace site is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara Heijō-kyō (平城京, also Heizei-kyō, sometimes Nara no miyako), was the capital city of Japan... (710–784), abandoned and destroyed over time. Partly reconstructed in the late 20th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Five are Buddhist temples, one is a Shinto shrine, one is a Palace and one a primeval forest. The properties include 26 buildings designated by the Japanese... " since 1998 |
| Shigaraki Palace Shigaraki Palace was a palace built by Emperor Shōmu, initially as a villa, later named by himself as the capital in 744. The palace was located in the present-day city of Kōka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The capital-palace is also referred to as in the Shoku Nihongi.... |
Kōka, Shiga Koka, Shiga is a city located in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture, Japan.... |
Imperial palace of ? (745), abandoned and destroyed over time |
| Naniwa Palace | Osaka Osaka is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe... |
Imperial palace of Naniwa-kyō Naniwa-kyo is a historical Japanese capital city, which was located in present-day central Osaka city.Traces of ancient palaces in Naniwa were found in 1957. Through more recent excavations, the existence of a city was confirmed, at least for the latter period in the 8th century.- External links :*... (744–745), abandoned and destroyed over time |
| Kuni Palace | Kizugawa, Kyoto Kizugawa, Kyoto is a city in southern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on March 12, 2007 by the merger of the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro, all from Sōraku District. It is the southernmost city in the prefecture... |
Imperial palace of Kuni-kyō Kuni-kyo Kuni-kyō , was the capital city of Japan between 740 and 744, with the palace built in present-day city of Kizugawa by order of Emperor Shōmu. The city of Kuni-kyō was not completed, as the capital was once again moved to Naniwa-kyō , only four years later... (740–744), abandoned and destroyed over time |
| Fujiwara Palace | Kashihara, Nara Kashihara, Nara is a city located in Nara, Japan. It is the second largest city in the prefecture.As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 125,547 and the density of 3,176.79 persons per km². The total area is 39.52 km².... |
Imperial palace of Fujiwara-kyō Fujiwara-kyo was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years, between 694 and 710. It was located in Yamato Province , having been moved from nearby Asuka. However, in the Nihon Shoki, the name Fujiwara-kyō had never been used... (694–710), abandoned and destroyed over time |
| Kiyomihara Palace | Asuka, Yamato Asuka, Yamato was one of the Imperial capitals of Japan during the Asuka period , which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture.... |
Last imperial palace in Asuka (672-694) before the court moved to Fujiwara-kyō |
| Okamoto Palace | Asuka | Imperial palace of Asuka (672) |
| Shima Palace | Asuka | Imperial palace of Asuka (672) |
| Ōmi Palace or Ōtsu Palace | Ōtsu, Shiga Otsu, Shiga is the capital city of Shiga, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1898. As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 338,629 with an average age of 40.7 years and a population density of 905.28 persons per km²... |
Imperial Palace of Ōmi-kyō (667–672) before the court moved back to Asuka |
| Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace | Asakura, Fukuoka Asakura, Fukuoka is a city located in south central Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city was created on March 20, 2006 when the old town of Asakura, from Asakura District, absorbed the former city of Amagi, and the town of Haki, also from Asakura District, to form the new city of Asakura.-Geography:Asakura is... |
Imperial Palace of Asakura (661–667) before the court moved to Ōmi-kyō |
| Later Okamoto Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (656–661) before the court moved to Asakura |
| Kawara Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (655–656) |
| Itabuki Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (654–655) |
| Nagara-Toyosaki Palace | Naniwa-kyō Naniwa-kyo is a historical Japanese capital city, which was located in present-day central Osaka city.Traces of ancient palaces in Naniwa were found in 1957. Through more recent excavations, the existence of a city was confirmed, at least for the latter period in the 8th century.- External links :*... |
Imperial Palace of Naniwa-kyō (645–654) before the court moved back to Asuka |
| Itabuki Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (643–645) |
| Kudara Palace | Kōryō, Nara Koryo, Nara is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. It served as Japan's temporary capital from 640-642 AD, the Kudara Palace. Kudara is a reference to the Korean kingdom of Baekje.... |
Imperial Palace of Koryo (640–642) before the court moved back to Asuka |
| Umayasaka Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (640) |
| Tanaka Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (636–640) |
| Okamoto Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (630–636) |
| Oharida Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (603–630) |
| Toyura Palace | Asuka | Imperial Palace of Asuka (592–603), later rededicated as nunnery Toyura-dera |
| Takatsu Palace | Osaka | Imperial Palace of Naniwa-kyō (4th century), founded by Emperor Nintoku Emperor Nintoku was the 16th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 313–399.-Legendary narrative:... . Other palaces also mentioned but not confirmed. |