The "public opening of Inui-dori," where you can enjoy Imperial Palace autumn color, began December 1. Slapping "last of Heisei" on everything feels cheap, yet it is a palace event, so we use it. Through the 9th you may enter 9 a.m.–3 p.m. daily. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace also open extra on the 3rd (Mon) and 7th (Fri), usually closed days.
Photo left is the December 1 Mainichi evening edition. On the first day, a mild warm one, some 22,000 came.
The Inui-dori opening began in the spring cherry season of 2014 to mark the Emperor's 80th birthday in December 2013. It was well received and became a fixture for spring cherries and autumn (winter) color.
The route enters at Sakashita-mon in the southeast, follows the west of Hasuike-bori and exits Inui-mon — about 750 meters, one way; you cannot enter from Inui-mon. Dozens of iroha and o-momiji along Inui-dori are at their peak. Midway you may leave for the East Gardens from Nishi-Hanebashi at the Hasuike/Inui-bori border and exit Kita-Hanebashi-mon and others, but you cannot return once in the East Gardens.
We stepped out of the building at noon on the 3rd. The top photo is in front of Inui-mon. Weather was so-so, so crowds were moderate. Still, people coming out of the path looked satisfied.
Past attendance: spring 2014 (5 days) 385,060; winter that year (same) 349,500; winter 2015 (same) 202,820; spring 2016 (10 days) 508,010; winter 2017 (9 days) 226,220; spring 2018 (same) 398,550.
With the opening the Mainichi issued a two-page (front and back of one sheet) color ad special inserted in the December 1 evening edition =photo right. The upper two-thirds is a photo-packed foliage guide. The lower third carries a Palaceside Building ad =photo at the end. The special is being handed out through the 8th around the Palaceside Building west entrance and elsewhere.
After enjoying palace autumn color, please drop by the Palaceside Building too.
