Secrets of Kokyo Gaien National Garden: Tokyo’s Royal Past Revealed 🇯🇵🪨

Japan’s royal palace outer garden is seriously a vibe! I stopped by Kokyo Gaien National Garden (1-1 Kokyogaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0002, Japan), just steps from the Imperial Palace, and let me tell you—the outer field hits different, especially when you’re walking across those pebbles. The pebble garden is actually a genius old-school security move. During wartime, the pebbles were used so anyone sneaking in at night would be heard immediately—smart moves, right? Love the little touches of history and clever design. The garden itself is open 24/7, so you can stroll any time (no tickets needed!). It’s suuuper peaceful; you get royal vibes, gorgeous greenery, and epic photospots all around. If you want that classic Tokyo chill + hidden history lesson, Kokyo Gaien National Garden is a must on your itinerary. My tip: Wear comfy shoes. You’ll want to wander every corner of this massive outdoor space—they definitely don’t call it “National Garden” for nothing!