The first Reiwa "public opening of Inui-dori," where you can enjoy Imperial Palace autumn leaves, finally begins on November 30. Viewing of the Daijokyu has also been under way since the 21st (both through December 8). The Palaceside Building is normally closed on Sundays, but December 1 will be a special opening. Restaurants and others will operate, so after enjoying the leaves and the Daijokyu, please stop by. (Photo above is from a past Inui-dori opening)
Daijokyu viewing during the period is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry 3 p.m.): enter at Sakashita-mon, turn right in front of the Imperial Household Agency building, proceed under Fujimi Yagura, then exit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace at Ote-mon, Hirakawa-mon or Kita-Hanebashi-mon.
Inui-dori is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (last entry 3 p.m.). You enter at Sakashita-mon, go straight past the Agency building, then along Inui-dori and out at Inui-mon; you can also leave the East Gardens via Nishi-Hanebashi midway and exit at Ote-mon, Hirakawa-mon or Kita-Hanebashi-mon. During the Inui-dori opening, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace therefore open on Monday and Friday, when they are usually closed.
During the Inui-dori public opening you can also join the Daijokyu route from Nishi-Hanebashi midway on Inui-dori. (Details: Imperial Household Agency website http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/inui-r01aki.html)
The photo below is the November 22 Mainichi Shimbun morning edition Tokyo metropolitan page, reporting the first day of Daijokyu viewing. According to the article, 19,550 people visited in one day.
The Daijokyu was the stage for the "Rite of the Daijokyu," the central ceremony of the imperial accession rite "Daijosai." About 30 buildings large and small, including the Yukiden and Sukiden, stand in left-right symmetry; in the rites of the 14th and 15th, prayers for the peace of the nation and people and for a rich harvest lasted about five and a half hours in all. After the public viewing it will be dismantled.
The Inui-dori opening was first held in the spring cherry season of 2014 to mark the then Emperor (now Emperor Emeritus) turning 80 in December 2013; it was well received and became a regular event for spring cherries and autumn (winter) leaves. It continues in Reiwa.
The Mainichi Shimbun plans a color advertising special in the evening edition of the 30th to match the opening, with foliage notes and a Palaceside Building guide. During the period the special page will be printed separately and handed out on the building's first floor and elsewhere. On your way back from the Imperial Palace, please stop by the Palaceside Building.