Imperial Palace street opens
For the spring season only, the street adjacent to Tokyo’s Imperial Palace has been opened to the public — a rare access window that happens just twice a year and gives exclusive cherry‑blossom walkways. (This short‑term opening was reported on March 21.) (japantimes.co.jp)
The Imperial Household Agency’s event page lists the spring opening as March 21–29, 2026, with entry permitted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and all visitors required to exit by 4:00 p.m. (kunaicho.go.jp) Entrance is through Sakashita‑mon Gate and visitors must leave via Inui‑mon Gate along a route of about 750 metres. (kunaicho.go.jp) The avenue is planted with roughly 99 cherry trees representing about 30 varieties — including Somei‑Yoshino and shidarezakura — and the Imperial Household Agency reported edohigan and koshihigan varieties were roughly 50% and 70% in bloom on opening day. (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) Officials note the public openings began in 2014 to mark the 80th birthday of then‑Emperor Akihito, a practice established the following year. (nippon.com) Kyodo reported about 500 people queued before gates opened on March 21, and regional reporting cited Imperial Household Agency figures showing around 1,300 visitors had walked the route by 11 a.m. on March 23. (bernama.com) (newsonjapan.com) Security measures include bag inspections, bans on drones and flagstaffs, a prohibition on eating and smoking, and restrictions on large luggage or animals except assistance dogs, while stopping or parking of vehicles (including tour buses) is not allowed around the palace grounds. (kunaicho.go.jp)
