List of Japanese Imperial Residences

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.

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 as national treasures such as 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 even listed a UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on 16 November 1945...

 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that is on the list that is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 state parties which are elected by their General Assembly for a four-year term.A World Heritage Site is a...

.

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. Before the Second World War, it was called the Imperial Household Ministry . Since 6 January 2001 the Agency has been headed by a Grand Steward,...

. 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 Empress Michiko of Japan Empress Michiko of Japan, formerly and later the Crown Princess of Japan , is the wife and consort of the reigning Emperor of Japan, HIM Emperor Akihito. She was the first commoner to marry into the Japanese Imperial Family...
Official
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....	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 on the Chrysanthemum Throne Chrysanthemum Throne The Chrysanthemum Throne is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the raised thrones constructed in the Shishin-den for Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun on November 10, 1928...  are held here.
Tokyo Imperial Palace	Tokyo Tokyo , officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and is located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. The twenty-three special wards of Tokyo, each governed as a city, cover the area that was once the city of Tokyo in the eastern part of the prefecture, totaling over 8 million people....	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 :* Kashikodokoro enshrining Amaterasu...  and the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace, the residence of the late Dowager Empress Kōjun Empress Kojun ' was empress consort of Emperor Shōwa 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.
TIH The Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan is the eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, which makes him the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan.-Early life and education:...  and The Crown Princess Masako, Crown Princess of Japan is the wife of Crown Prince Naruhito, the first son of the Emperor Akihito and the Empress Michiko, and a member of the Japanese Imperial Family through marriage.-Childhood:...
Official
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
Aoyama Detached Palace	Tokyo	Official Tokyo residence; located in the larger Akasaka Estate
Official
Higashi Residence	Shibuya, Tokyo Shibuya, Tokyo is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it had an estimated population of 208,371 and a density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....	Official Tokyo residence since December 1976
Official
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 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
Akasaka Estate	Minato, Tokyo	Official Tokyo residence since December 1982
Official
Sanbancho Residence	Chiyoda, Tokyo Chiyoda, Tokyo is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Chiyoda City. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a density of 3,912 persons per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...	Official Tokyo residence since January 1988
Official
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
The Imperial Stock Farm (Goryo Bokujo)	Utsunomiya Utsunomiya, Tochigi is the capital and the most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, the city had an estimated population of 505,381 and a density of 1,212 persons per km². The total area is 416.84 km². The had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census. The nearby city of Oyama, Tochigi is included in... , 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. Utsunomiya is famous for its many gyoza specialist shops...
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 2003, the city has an estimated population of 314,021 and the density of 5,206.78 persons per km². The total area is 60.31 km².... , Saitama Prefecture Saitama Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū. 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 floods of residents commute each day....
Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve (Shinhama Kamoba)	Ichikawa Ichikawa, Chiba is a city located in Chiba, Japan.The city was founded on November 3, 1934.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 462,249 and the density of 8,044.71 persons per km²... , Chiba Prefecture Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in 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...
Privately-used
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.... , 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. Utsunomiya is famous for its many gyoza specialist shops...	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, facing Sagami Bay.As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 32,374 and a density of 1,900 persons per km². The total area was 17.06 km².-History:... , Kanagawa Prefecture Kanagawa Prefecture is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Honshū, 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. The city is located at the southern tip of the Izu peninsula about southwest of Tokyo. Shimoda location, with the Amagi Mountains to the north, and the warm Kuroshio current to the south give the city a humid, sub-tropical climate.In the 1850s, Japan was in... , Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was previously divided into Tōtōmi Province, Suruga Province and Izu Province, and it was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...	all members

Former Imperial residences

Residence	Location	Date(s)
Akasaka Palace	Minato, Tokyo
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....  (794 794 -Asia:* Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital, ending the Nara period, and beginning the Heian period.-Europe:* Council of Frankfurt: oldest known mentioning of Frankfurt.* Vikings sack the Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey.... –1227), completely destroyed by fire and not rebuilt
Fukuhara Palace	Hyōgo-ku, Kobe Hyogo-ku, Kobe Hyōgo-ku is one of 9 wards of Kobe in Japan. It has an area of 14.54 km², and a population of 107,553 .-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...  (784 784 - Asia :* The Japanese capital moves away from Nara, ending the Nara period.* The Chinese engineer and prince Li Gao invents a successful model of a paddle-wheel ship.- Religion :* August 31—Paul IV abdicates as Patriarch of Constantinople.... –794 794 -Asia:* Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital, ending the Nara period, and beginning the Heian period.-Europe:* Council of Frankfurt: oldest known mentioning of Frankfurt.* Vikings sack the Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey.... ), 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 time of Nara period...  (710 710 -Asia:* The Asuka period, the second and last part of the Yamato period, ends, and the Nara period begins in Japan; Heijō-kyō becomes the capital of Japan.... –784 784 - Asia :* The Japanese capital moves away from Nara, ending the Nara period.* The Chinese engineer and prince Li Gao invents a successful model of a paddle-wheel ship.- Religion :* August 31—Paul IV abdicates as Patriarch of Constantinople.... ), 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 Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū.Osaka is a City in Japan and also is designated city under the Local Autonomy Law and the capital city of Osaka Prefecture...	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 :*...  (744 744 -Europe:* February—Hildeprand succeeds Liutprand as king of the Lombards.* October—Ratchis succeeds Hildeprand as king of the Lombards.-Switzerland:* In 741 and 744, documents in the archives of St... –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 after the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro from Sōraku District merged. 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...  (740 740 This is about the year in the Gregorian Calendar -Europe:* October 26—An earthquake strikes Constantinople and the surrounding countryside, causing destruction to the city's land walls and buildings, and many deaths.... –744 744 -Europe:* February—Hildeprand succeeds Liutprand as king of the Lombards.* October—Ratchis succeeds Hildeprand as king of the Lombards.-Switzerland:* In 741 and 744, documents in the archives of St... ), 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 2003, the city has an estimated population of 125,513 and the density of 3,175.94 persons per km². The total area is 39.52 km²....	Imperial palace of Fujiwara-kyō Fujiwara-kyo Fujiwara-kyō , was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years between 694 and 710. It was located in Yamato Province, specifically, present-day Kashihara in Nara prefecture, having been moved from nearby Asuka. However, in the Nihonshiki, the name Fujiwara-kyo had never been used...  (694 694 - Europe :* November 9—Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims, and sentences all Jews to slavery.* Ine of Wessex makes peace with Kent.... –710 710 -Asia:* The Asuka period, the second and last part of the Yamato period, ends, and the Nara period begins in Japan; Heijō-kyō becomes the capital of Japan.... ), 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.As of February 2007 the city has an estimated population of 329,355 with an average age of 40.7 years and a population density of 880.49 persons per km². The total area is 374.06 km².Around 667 to 672, the Ōmi Ōtsu Palace was founded by Emperor Tenji...	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 former city of Amagi merged with the former towns of Asakura and Haki to form the new city of Asakura.-Geography:...	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 A.D., 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. Nintoku is considered to have ruled the country during the late-fourth century and early-fifth century, but there is a paucity of information about him... . Other palaces also mentioned but not confirmed.