Kyoto Imperial Palace

The main buildings are, among other halls, the Shishinden (紫宸殿; Hall for State Ceremonies), Seiryōden (清涼殿; Emperor's Habitual Residence), Kogosho (小御所; Court Room), Ogakumonjo (御学問所; Imperial Study or Library^[5]), and a number of residences for the Empress, high-ranking aristocrats and government officials. The layout of Kyoto’s imperial palace was modeled after the Tang capital, Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an).

Gates

For state ceremonies, the dignitaries would enter through the Kenreimon (建礼門), which has a cypress-wood roof, and is supported by four unpainted wooden pillars. This gate would have been used on the rare occasions of the Emperor welcoming a foreign diplomat or dignitary, as well as for many other important state ceremonies. Passing through the Kenreimon, the inner gate Jomeimon would appear, which is painted in vermilion and roofed in tile. This leads to the Shishin-den, which is the Hall for State Ceremonies. The Gekkamon is a smaller gate on the west side of the main courtyard.

The annual Aoi Matsuri in May is the procession of the Saiō-Dai, historically a priestess of the imperial house, to the Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. The procession departs in front of the Kenreimon.

Another gate in the outer courtyard is the Kenshunmon, which has a similar architectural style to the Kenreimon. Located next to the Kenshunmon is a square where the traditional ball game Kemari is played.

Kenreimon (建礼門), the main entrance gates used by emperor only.
Kenshunmon (建春門) Eastern gate.
Sakuheimon (朔平門), Northern gate.
Gishumon (宜秋門), Lower Western gate used by the Emperor Emeritus, Imperial family members, and highest-ranking court nobles, who officially visited to the palace.
Seishomon (清所門), Middle Western gate.
Kogo-Mon (皇后門), Upper Western gate, used by Empress.
Jomeimon (承明門), Main entrance to Shishiden throne hall
Nikkamon (日華門), Eastern gate to Shishiden throne hall
Gekka-Mon (月華門), Western gate to Shishiden throne hall

Okurumayose

Okurumayose (御車寄) was also called as Kugemon (公家門), which refers to “the gate for highest-ranking court nobles". It was designed with Karahafu style (curved gable) roof. The Okurumayose served as the official entrance for high-ranking court nobles, which is derived from the entrance created in the middle of the corridor in aristocratic residences during the Heian period. The Okurumayose is created in the middle of a long north-south corridor. Heading north leads to the office of retainers and the other buildings located further north of the Kogosho, while heading south leads to the rooms of the Shodaibu-no-ma and the Seiryoden.　

The use of the Okurumayose was exclusively reserved for the highest-ranking court nobles. Furthermore, among them, only a select few were permitted to bring their vehicles directly to this entrance. Others had to enter the palace building from the Shodaibu-no-ma, located south of the Okurumayose.　When entering the Okurumayose with a palanquin or other vehicle, it was customary to get into a palanquin from the front and get out from the rear.　

In the late Edo period, the shogun's visit to Kyoto occurred for the first time in about 230 years. In 1863 (Bunkyū 3), the Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi got out of his palanquin outside the Gishumon Gate and walked on foot to the Okurumayose to enter the palace. The following year, during his second visit, his treatment was improved, and he was permitted to ride his palanquin directly to the Okurumayose to enter the palace.

Shodaibunoma

The Shodaibunoma (諸大夫の間) building was used as a waiting room for dignitaries on their official visits to the palace. They were ushered into three different anterooms according to their ranks. There are 3 rooms in rank from the highest to lowest that are the Tora-no-ma (Tiger Room), Tsuru-no-ma (Crane Room), and Sakura-no-ma (Cherry Blossom Room). Each room was reserved for nobles of certain ranks: Kugyo (the highest-ranked court nobles), Denjo-bito (court nobles ranked below Kugyo, especially those permitted to ascend to the Emperor's living quarters), and Shodaibu (court nobles ranked below Denjo-bito, who were not permitted to ascend to the Emperor's living quarters). The name Shodaibu-no-ma originally referred only to the Sakura-no-ma (Cherry Blossom Room).

Except for the highest-ranked nobles who were permitted to enter from the Okuruma-yose or Carriage Porch, visitors were required to enter from the kutsunugi-ishi (a stone slab for removing shoes) on the west side of the Shodaibu-no-ma, and then to wait in the designated room corresponding to their rank. Since ancient times, there had been a strict distinction between the Kugyo & Denjobito and the Shodaibu. This distinction can be seen from the fact that the Tora-no-ma and Tsuru-no-ma have tatami mats decorated with finely patterned korai-beri (korai-style tatami hems), and the ranma (transom) between these two rooms. However, the Sakura-no-ma has tatami mats decorated with red silk border hems and no ranma transoms. The Sakura-no-ma is also the only room with a wall on the north side, which means that visitors from the Sakura-no-ma were not permitted to use the corridor leading to the main palace buildings. 　 The Shodaibu-no-ma was also used to receive visits from samurai lords. The Tora-no-ma was used as an antechamber for samurai lords of the Kugyo rank (called Gosanke and Gosankyo), and the Tsuru-no-ma for lower-ranked samurai (for ex., messengers of the shogun, Kyoto Shoshidai (Kyoto Governor appointed by the shogunate), where guests could prepare for audiences with the Emperor in the Kogosho. It also served as meeting place for court nobles and samurai during the upheaval at the end of the Edo period.

The Shodaibu-no-ma was also used as a venue for annual ceremonies. When the Chugen Festival, which occurred at the same time as the Urabon-e (Bon Festival) on July 14 and 15, lanterns presented by the Empress, ladies-in-waiting, and court nobles, were displayed in the rooms and corridors. These lanterns were elaborately decorated with dolls and artificial flowers, and were lit at night for the Emperor to view, while the general public was also permitted to view them during the day.

Shodaibunoma
Dolls displayed in Cherry Blossom room.

Shinmikurumayose

The Shinmikurumayose (新御車寄) (New Carriage Porch) was built for the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Taisho in 1915 to welcome the carriage procession carrying the Emperor. The name is the collective name used to refer to the entire structure, including the interior. Initially on the north side there used to be a corridor leading to the Otsunegoten, but this was demolished during the World War II, and today it is a stand-alone building.

In ancient times, on the occasion of a visit by the Emperor, it was the tradition that the Emperor would get in the Imperial palanquin in the Shishinden building. And the Imperial Palanguin would enter and exit through the Kenreimon Gate on the south side of the palace grounds. Follwing the tradition, the Shin-mikurumayose was also built facing south.

The Shin-mikurumayose was built to the west of the Shishinden as an entrance porch for Imperial visits in the modern era. This is because the Jomeimon Gate, located between the Shishinden and the Kenreimon Gate, was designed to fit the width of the Imperial palanquin, making it impossible for the newly introduced horse-drawn carriages to pass through.

The Okurumayose (conventional porch for the highest-ranking court nobles) was designed for either their vehicles or for them to enter on foot from the front. Therefore, the Okurumayose is characterized by walls on both sides. In contrast, the new Shin-mikurumayose allows vehicles to enter from the west side. This design enables carriages to align their side doors with the front of the building for boarding, alighting, and passing through towards the east. To ensure the passing route of the carriage, there are no walls on either side. While both the conventional Okurumayose and the new Shin-mikurumayose share the same karahafu (curved gable) roof style, there are, as mentioned above, structural differences based on their usage.

The interior of the Shin-mikurumayose consists of a hallway at the entrance and four rooms of varying sizes, with frosted glass and Western-style lighting, and carpeted floors to accommodate people with shoes entering the palace, making it compatible with modern living styles. It was used as a reception room for foreign envoyes at the Enthronement Ceremonies of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa, and today it is still used as a venue for Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to hold tea parties when in Kyoto.

Shunkōden

The Shunkōden (春興殿) was constructed in 1915 for the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Taisho to house the Divine Mirror, one of the Three Imperial Regalia. The mirror had been brought from the Kashikodokoro Sanctuary at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Imperial succession ceremonies, such as the Kashikodokoro-oomae-no-gi, the ceremony to announce the accession to the throne to the Imperial ancestors, were held here. The roof is modern, being made out of copper and not wooden shingles.

Shishinden

The Shishinden (紫宸殿) is the most important ceremonial building within the palace grounds. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperors Meiji through Showa took place here. The hall is 33 by 23 metres (108 by 75 ft) in size, and features a traditional architectural style, with a gabled and hipped roof called Shinden-zukuri. On either side of its main stairway were planted trees which would become very famous and sacred, a cherry (sakura) on the eastern, left side, and a tachibana orange tree on the right to the west. The garden of white gravel played an important role in the ceremony. The Shishinden is the main hall with a distinguished history dating back to the Heian period, where important court ceremonies were held. It was built facing south in the southern area of the grounds and was also known as Nantei (南庭). The building, with its cypress bark roof and natural, unpainted wood construction, features Shitomido outer doors and Karado doors on the exterior. The central area, called Moya (母屋), measures 9 ken (approximately 16.4 meters) in width and 3 ken (approximately 5.5 meters) in length, and is surrounded by Hisashi on all four sides. The interior showcases Keshoyaneura (refined rafters and beams) and Nugui-itajiki (refined polished wood flooring). All these features highlight the architectural styles of the Heian period.

Currently, the Shishinden houses the Takamikura(Imperial Throne) and the Michodai(August Seat of the Empress), which are used exclusively for the Enthronement Ceremony. Originally, the Michodai referred to an Emperor's throne within a rectangular canopy, like the one currently in the Seiryoden. The combination of the Emperor's throne in the canopy and the Kensho shoji (賢聖障子) panels located behind it characterized the Shishinden as a highly dignified and traditional building. During reconstruction in Kansei 2(1790), the architectural space of the Shishinden was restored according to the ancient Heian period traditions (Shinden-zukuri) to ensure that traditional ceremonies could be accommodated as originally intended. The restoration was based on the floor plan research by the scholar Uramatsu Kozen (as documented in "Daidaizu-koshō") and other documents related the Heian period Imperial Palace. While maintaining the Heian period style, modern techniques from the Edo period were used in some areas, such as the roof truss structure.

In the Shishinden, important ceremonies such as the Enthronement Ceremony, the Coming of Age Day, the Rikkou and the Rittaisi (Ceremonies for announcing that an Empress or new Crown Prince has been crowned and enthroned) and seasonal ceremonies were held. Not only the main hall but also the south garden in front of it, the surrounding corridors, and various gates were used as part of the ceremonial venue. In the South Garden, the Daijosai (Rite of Offering of New Rice after the Enthronement Ceremony) was also conducted. Originally, the Enthronement Ceremony was held in the Daikokuden of the Chodoin (Hasshoin) in the Heian Daidairi (the Heian period Imperial Palace), and the Daijosai in the south courtyard. In later periods, the Shishinden and the South Garden served as substitutes in place of the Chodoin. The corridors and gates built after the Kansei reconstruction incorporated the style of the Chodoin.

The Shishinden, which preserves the tradition from the Heian period, became the stage for the dawn of a new era with the Meiji Restoration. It was the site for the proclamation of the Charter Oath ( Five-Article Oath) in 1868 and served as a venue for Imperial audiences with foreign envoys. Subsequently, it was used for the Enthronement Ceremonies of Emperor Taishō and Emperor Shōwa, symbolizing the enduring court culture of Japan.

Enthronement of Emperor Taishō in 1915
Ceremony of the Enthronement of Emperor Shōwa in Shishinden Hall
Sakon no Sakura tree.
Ukon no Tachibana tree.
Shishinden throne hall.
Shishinden throne hall.
Proclamation of the Imperial Charter Oath

Takamikura

The Takamikura (高御座) is the Imperial throne. It has been used on the occasion of the enthronement ceremonies commencing in 707 in the reign of Empress Genmei. The present throne was modeled on the original design, constructed in 1913, two years before the enthronement of Emperor Taishō. The actual throne is a chair in black lacquer, placed under an octagonal canopy resting on a three-tiered dais painted with black lacquer with balustrades of vermilion. On both sides of the throne are two little tables, where two of the three Imperial regalia (the sword and the jewel), and the privy seal and state seal would be placed. On top of the canopy is a statue of a large phoenix called hō-ō. Surrounding the canopy are eight small phoenixes, jewels and mirrors. Hanging from the canopy are metal ornaments and curtains.

The sliding door that hid the Emperor from view is called kenjō no shōji (賢聖障子), and has an image of 32 celestial saints painted upon it, which became one of the primary models for all of Heian period painting.

Michodai

The Michodai (御帳台) is the August Seat of the Empress. The current throne was constructed in 1913. Its colour and shape are the same as the Takamikura, but is slightly smaller and more simple in comparison. The canopy is decorated with a statue of the mythical bird ranchō.

August seat of Empress.

The Imperial throne is always placed in the center of the main hall, the michodai to the right of it. Both thrones are kept away from public view through screens called misu.

Seiryōden

The Seiryōden (清涼殿) is located to the west of the Shishin-den and facing east which was originated from the Heian Palace, then became established as the Emperor's daily residence from the late 9th century. Along with the Shishinden (throne hall), it has been the staged for important traditional court ceremonies. Following the construction of the Otsunegoten by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's donation in 1590 as a new residence for the Emperor, Seiryōden was used exclusively for ceremonies.

The architectural space of the Seiryōden has undergone changes due to shifts in lifestyle and function. However, during the Kansei era (1855) reconstruction, it was restored based on the ancient Heian period style (Shinden-zukuri), along with the Shishinden and other buildings. The current Seiryōden, with its furnishings and decorations made to match the architectural style of the building, offers valuable insights into the traditions and culture of the Emperor's residence and the lifestyle of that era.

The central rectangular area is called Moya (母屋), measuring 9 ken (20 meters) in width and 2 ken (6 meters) in length. Surrounding it on all sides is a corridor-like wooden-floored space called Hisashi. Additionally on the outside of the Shitomido (outer doors), there is a veranda-like wooden-floored space called Hiro-bisashi (or Mago-bisashi). Unlike the Shishinden, which was a building dedicated to residence of emperor, later only ceremonies in 1590, the interior of the Seiryōden has many partitions and is divided into rooms according to their use, reflecting the characteristics of residential spaces in the late Heian period.

In the Edo period, traditional ceremonies were held in this building: the Kenji-togyo (Transfer of the Sacred Sword and Jade), the Judai (the entry of a highest-ranking court noble's daughter into the Imperial court to become the Imperial Consort), the Boukan-jimoku (Appointment of Court Officials), the Kochobai (Imperial Audience), the Daishoji-gozen (Imperial Ceremonial Meal), Shinto and Buddhist rituals, and the Shihohai (literally “Prayer to the Four Quarters”, referring to the Emperor's New Year Prayer held at the East Garden in front of the Seiryōden). In this way, the entire building of the Seiryōden was an extremely important ceremonial space where the Emperor would appear and ceremonies were conducted. Considering the importance of such a building, although the size has been reduced from the original Seiryōden, its restoration has been achieved.

The Koromogae (changing of attire and furnishings) was held in the fourth and tenth months of the lunar calendar, which was an annual observance in the court. On the first day of the fourth and tenth months of the lunar calendar, attires and interior furnishings were changed to match the season. This observance was a seasonal custom to herald the arrival of a new season. Even today, the draperies of the Mihchōdai(Imperial Canopy) and the Kabeshiro (Wall Hangings) are changed to match the season to welcome visitors with seasonal decorations.

Seiryōden
Shihouhai (四方拝) ceremony at Seiryōden.

The original structure was built as the Emperor's residence at the end of the 8th century and was used until the 11th century. The Seiryō-den was rebuilt in this location in 1790 CE, on a smaller scale than the original building but preserving the original structure.

Kogosho

The Kogosho (小御所) is a place where the Emperor received bannermen under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogun (buke). It was also used for some rituals. the building was built in the Imperial palace from the medieval period. The layout of the Kogosho, featuring upper, middle, and lower floor-level rooms, was designed to accommodate Imperial audiences with samurai and envoys from the shogunate. It is best known for the “Kogosho Conference,” held during the Meiji Restoration to discuss the treatment of Tokugawa Yoshinobu following the Taisei Hōkan (the formal return of political authority to the Emperor). The Kogosho has occasionally served as a substitute for Heian-period palace buildings with historical significance, particularly during important imperial ceremonies. Alongside the Shishinden and Seiryōden, it has been the site of key rituals related to imperial succession.

Reflecting its ceremonial role, the Kogosho features architectural elements similar to those of the Seiryōden, including fusuma shōji (sliding doors decorated with Konjobiki multicolored designs), nuno shōji (fabric-covered sliding doors with ink paintings), and shitomi-do (latticed shutters). When the tatami mats and partitions are removed and traditional furnishings are arranged, the space can be transformed to resemble a Heian-period palace interior. Due to its high practicality, the Kogosho was also used for various purposes, such as waka poetry gatherings and musical performances. This distinctive building shows a blend of architectural elements of Shinden-zukuri and Shoin-zukuri styles.

Kogosho hall.
the building was destroyed by fire in 16 August 1954, and rebult later.

The Kogosho Conference was held here on the night of December 9, 1867, the declaration of the restoration of imperial rule (osei fukko). The structure burnt down in 1954 and was reconstructed in 1958.

Ogakumonjo

The study hall Ogakumonjo (御学問所) was for reading rites, a monthly poetry recital and also a place the Emperor received nobles. It is a Shoin-zukuri style building with an irimoya hiwadabuki roof.

The Ogakumonjo was first seen in the Imperial palace during the Nanboku-cho period (1336-1392). It became an independent building during the Edo period and built in Keicho-era (1613). In the Keicho-era , activities and ceremonies such as calligraphy practice, waka poetry gatherings, and reading sessions were regularly held here. Initially, these activities were to enhance the education of Emperor Gomizuno-o himself and court nobles in close attendance. To the north, there was a large library and easily accessible by a corridor from the Ogakumonjo and the Otsunegoten located to the west.

Afterwards, it was rebuilt seven times due to fires, and its scale and form changed differently in each era. The current building was constructed during Ansei 2 (1855), was used for academic and artistic ceremonies such as Otokusho-hajime (First Reading Ceremony) and waka poetry gatherings. It also served as an audience chamber and a temporary residence during the restoration of the Otsunegoten. Emperor Kōmei met the Shoguns Tokugawa Iemochi and Tokugawa Yoshinobu here. Years later, the "Edict of the Restoration of the Imperial Rule" was issued here on December 9, Keio 3 (1867) in the presence of Emperor Meiji.

Study hall.

Otsunegoten

The Otsunegoten (御常御殿) was first built in 1590 when samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated money to renovate the palace. The purpose of building this palace was to shift the function as the Emperor's living quarters from the Seiryoden into an independent palace. Since then, the Otsunegoten had served as the Emperor's living quarters for centuries. After 1869, when Emperor Meiji moved to Tokyo, the Otsunegoten had been used as the Emperor's accomodations during their visits to Kyoto until the end of World War Ⅱ. The three rooms facing south are Jodan-no-ma (上段の間), Chudan-no-ma (中段の間) and Gedan-no-ma (下段の間), which were used for ceremonies and gatherings such as the New Year Greeting Ceremony and Seasonal Banquets. Jodan-no-ma is the highest-ranked rooms; it has a raised floor where the Emperor was seated, on which the Emperor’s seat was placed, and is furnished with the Chodai-gamae (ornamental doorway giving access to the Kenji-no-ma room where the Imperial Regalia were placed) behind the Emperor's seat. In addition to the difference in floor level, each room has its own respective ceiling decorated in a different style. These differences, which show the status of the people who sat in the room, are characteristics of the Shoin-zukuri architectural style.

The east side of the building was a space for Emperor's daily life. Sliding doors were furnished instead of the old style Shitomi latticed shutters found in the south side of the building because functionality was prioritized in the east side. Otsunegoten preserves and conveys the tradition of the Emperor’s living quarters and the evolution of Japanese architectural styles to the present day.

Southern facade
Southern facade
Eastern facade

Osuzumisho

The Osuzumisho (御涼所) is the summer residence for the Emperor.

Koshun

The Koshun (迎春) is a study hall that was used by Emperor Komei, who reigned from 1846 to 1866.

Koshun

Omima

The Omima (御三間) which literally means “three rooms”, is a palace with three rooms. The Omima rooms were originally part of the Otsunegoten and later became a separate building, which is connected to the Otsunegoten via a corridor on the north side. The Mairado (wooden sliding door) on the south side of the western Goenzashiki was a doorway to the corridor (that has been removed) connecting to the Ogakumonjo building. The Omima served as a passageway for the Emperor. In other words, it was a relay point for going from the inner quarters to the outer quarters in the Imperial Palace. It also served as a secondary palace to the Otsunegoten. For example, after the death of the Emperor, the articles of the Imperial Regalia were transferred from the Otsunegoten to the Jodan-no-ma Upper Room of the Omima, and it functioned as a temporary residence for the new Emperor. Some small-scale ceremonies, such as the Fukasogi ceremony, which celebrated the healthy growth of the princes and princesses, Noh performance viewing in March, the Chinowa-kuguri purification ceremony in June, and the Tanabata waka poem creating ceremony in July were held here.It was also used for some unofficial ceremonies such as the Star Festival and the Bon festival.

Omima hall
The Sarugatsuji
Oike-niwa (御池庭) garden and pond