Imperial Palace opens for sakura

The Imperial Household Agency scheduled the Inui Street opening from March 21 to March 29, with entry allowed 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and exit required by 4:00 p.m. (kunaicho.go.jp). (kunaicho.go.jp) About 500 people were reported lining up early on opening day, according to Kyodo News coverage carried by international outlets. (bernama.com) Visitors enter through Sakashita‑mon Gate and leave via Inui‑mon Gate along a roughly 750‑metre route that is opened only twice a year. (kunaicho.go.jp) The route is lined with roughly 100 cherry trees of multiple types — including Somei‑Yoshino, satozakura and shidarezakura — and local reports noted early‑blooming edohigan and koshihigan were already partly in flower. (jen.jiji.com) The twice‑yearly public openings began in 2014 to mark then‑Emperor Akihito’s 80th birthday and are held during spring cherry‑blossom and autumn foliage seasons. (nippon.com) Security checks, bag inspections and a list of prohibited items — including drones, selfie sticks, large luggage and open eating or smoking — are enforced at the gates to manage visitor flow and safety. (kunaicho.go.jp)