The "Inui-dori Public Opening," letting visitors enjoy Imperial Palace autumn foliage while walking through, will run again this year for five days, Saturday, December 5 through Wednesday, December 9＝photo above shows last year. Palaceside Building will be specially open on Sunday, December 6, when we are normally closed, as well as on weekdays and Saturdays. After viewing the leaves, please stop by.
The route is one-way from Sakashita-mon in the southeast of the palace, along the west side of Hasuike Moat, exiting at Inui-mon. You may also branch off to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and leave via Kitahanebashi-mon and others＝see map at left. Inui-dori has 45 iroha maples and 14 trident maples, opened when colors peak.
The event began in 2014 as a one-off in April (cherry blossom season) and December (autumn colors) to mark His Majesty's 80th birthday in December 2013 — 385,060 visitors in April and 349,500 in December, a huge success. The Imperial Household Agency announced that, given the strong response, it would hold Inui-dori public openings every spring and autumn. However, openings will be suspended next autumn and spring 2017 for tree renewal work on Inui-dori, so if you miss this autumn's colors, you may not see them again for two years.
Entry hours are 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (exit Inui-mon by 3:30 p.m.). On Sunday the 6th, most Palaceside Building restaurants and cafes plan to operate.