List of Japanese imperial residences

Last updated

This is a list of residences occupied by the Japanese Imperial Family, noting the seasons of the year they are traditionally occupied.

Contents

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 such as the Akasaka Palace which is a National Treasure or the Heijō Palace, which is a Special Historic Site and listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

The occupied imperial residences are cared for and maintained by the Imperial Household Agency. Former palaces or sites are under the administration of various ministries or local authorities.

Current residences by residents [1]

ResidenceLocationNotes

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako

Official

Tokyo Imperial Palace Tokyo Official Tokyo residence; used also as the private residence. Houses the Three Palace Sanctuaries and the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace, the residence of the late Dowager Empress Kōjun. Certain parts such as the East Gardens and the Kitanomaru Park are open to the public. Only twice a year, for the emperor's birthday and New Year's day are the public allowed to enter the grounds up to the Kyuden, where the imperial family appears on the balcony. The enthronement ceremonies of the current Emperor took place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace in 2019.
Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto 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 to the Chrysanthemum Throne last took place in Kyoto in 1928.

Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino and Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino

Official

Tōgū Palace TokyoOfficial Tokyo residence; located in the larger Akasaka Estate where a number of other members of the imperial family reside

Fumihito, Prince Akishino and Princess Akishino

Official

Aoyama Detached Palace TokyoOfficial Tokyo residence; located in the larger Akasaka Estate

Masahito, Prince Hitachi and Hanako, Princess Hitachi

Official

Higashi Residence Shibuya, Tokyo Official Tokyo residence since December 1976

Yuriko, Princess Mikasa

Official

Akasaka Estate Minato, Tokyo Official Tokyo residence since November 1970

Princess Tomohito of Mikasa

Official

Akasaka EstateMinato, TokyoOfficial Tokyo residence since December 1982

Hisako, Princess Takamado

Official

Akasaka EstateMinato, TokyoOfficial Tokyo residence since December 1986

Current residences by type

ResidenceLocationMember(s)

Official

Tokyo Imperial PalaceTokyoThe Emperor and Empress
Akasaka EstateTokyoThe Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Prince and Princess Akishino, Princess Mikasa, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, Princess Takamado
Higashi ResidenceTokyoPrince and Princess Hitachi
Sanbancho ResidenceTokyothe late Prince Katsura, currently unused
Takanawa ResidenceTokyothe late Princess Takamatsu, currently unused

Imperial estates

The Imperial Stock Farm (Goryo Bokujo) Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture
Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery Tokyo Imperial PalaceImperial sericulture 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 repository. [2]
Saitama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve (Saitama Kamoba) Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture
Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve (Shinhama Kamoba) Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture

Privately used

Sentō Imperial Palace Kyotoall members
Katsura Imperial Villa Kyotoall members
Shugakuin Imperial Villa Kyotoall members
Nasu Imperial Villa Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture all members
Hayama Imperial Villa Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture all members
Suzaki Imperial Villa Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture all members

Formerly privately used

Atami Imperial Villa Atami, Shizuoka Prefectureall members
Shizuoka Imperial Villa Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefectureall members
Numazu Imperial Villa Numazu, Shizuoka Prefectureall members
Odawara Imperial Villa Odawara, Kanagawa Prefectureall members
Kamakura Imperial Villa Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefectureall members
Miyanoshita Imperial Villa Hakone, Kanagawa Prefectureall members
Tamozawa Imperial Villa Nikkō, Tochigi Prefectureall members

Former residences by date

ResidenceLocationDate(s)
Akasaka Palace Minato, TokyoOfficial residence of the Crown Prince and his family (1909–1974), now the State Guesthouse (迎賓館, Geihinkan)
Nagoya Detached Palace or Nagoya Imperial Villa (Nagoya Castle) Nagoya Official residence in Nagoya after the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, from 1893-1930
Heian Palace KyotoOriginal imperial palace of Heian-kyō (794–1227), completely destroyed by fire and not rebuilt
Fukuhara Palace Hyōgo-ku, Kobe Imperial palace of Fukuhara-kyō (1180), abandoned, destroyed over time and not rebuilt
Saga Imperial Villa Ukyō-ku, Kyoto Imperial palace of Emperor Saga (814), turned into Daikaku-ji by his daughter Masako, became residence of several cloistered emperors
Nagaoka Palace Mukō, Kyoto Imperial palace of Nagaoka-kyō (784–794), abandoned, destroyed over time and not rebuilt
Heijō Palace Nara Imperial palace of Heijō-kyō (710–784), 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" since 1998
Shigaraki Palace Kōka, Shiga Imperial palace of ? (745), abandoned and destroyed over time
Naniwa Palace Osaka Imperial palace of Naniwa-kyō (744–745), abandoned and destroyed over time
Kuni Palace Kizugawa, Kyoto Imperial palace of Kuni-kyō (740–744), abandoned and destroyed over time
Fujiwara Palace Kashihara, Nara Imperial palace of Fujiwara-kyō (694–710), abandoned and destroyed over time
Kiyomihara Palace Asuka, Yamato Last imperial palace in Asuka (672-694) before the court moved to Fujiwara-kyō
Okamoto Palace AsukaImperial palace of Asuka (672)
Shima Palace AsukaImperial palace of Asuka (672)
Ōmi Palace or Ōtsu Palace Ōtsu, Shiga Imperial Palace of Ōmi-kyō (667–672) before the court moved back to Asuka
Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace Asakura, Fukuoka Imperial Palace of Asakura (661–667) before the court moved to Ōmi-kyō
Later Okamoto Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (656–661) before the court moved to Asakura
Kawara Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (655–656)
Itabuki Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (654–655)
Nagara-Toyosaki Palace Naniwa-kyō Imperial Palace of Naniwa-kyō (645–654) before the court moved back to Asuka
Itabuki Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (643–645)
Kudara Palace Kōryō, Nara Imperial Palace of Koryo (640–642) before the court moved back to Asuka
Umayasaka Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (640)
Tanaka Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (636–640)
Okamoto Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (630–636)
Oharida Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (603–630)
Toyura Palace AsukaImperial Palace of Asuka (592–603), later rededicated as nunnery Toyura-dera
Takatsu Palace OsakaImperial Palace of Naniwa-kyō (4th century), founded by Emperor Nintoku. Other palaces also mentioned but not confirmed.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Palace, Tokyo</span> Usual residence of the Emperor of Japan

The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda district of the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo and contains several buildings including the Fukiage Palace where the Emperor has his living quarters, the main palace where various ceremonies and receptions take place, some residences of the Imperial Family, an archive, museums and administrative offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empress Michiko</span> Empress of Japan from 1989 to 2019

Michiko is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She was Empress of Japan as the wife of Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan reigning from 7 January 1989 to 30 April 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo Castle</span> Historic 15th-century palace in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

Edo Castle is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan in Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. In modern times it is part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is therefore also known as Chiyoda Castle. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate there, and it was the residence of the shōgun and the headquarters of the military government during the Edo period (1603–1867) in Japanese history. After the resignation of the shōgun and the Meiji Restoration, it became the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Some moats, walls and ramparts of the castle survive to this day. However, the grounds were more extensive during the Edo period, with Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi section of the city lying within the outermost moat. It also encompassed Kitanomaru Park, the Nippon Budokan Hall and other current landmarks of the surrounding area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Household Agency</span> Japanese government agency in charge of state matters concerning the Imperial Family

The Imperial Household Agency (IHA) is an agency of the government of Japan in charge of state matters concerning the Imperial Family, and also the keeping of the Privy Seal and State Seal of Japan. From around the 8th century AD, up until the Second World War, it was known as the Imperial Household Ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Treasure (Japan)</span> Most precious of Tangible Cultural Properties

A National Treasure is the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. A Tangible Cultural Property is considered to be of historic or artistic value, classified either as "buildings and structures" or as "fine arts and crafts". Each National Treasure must show outstanding workmanship, a high value for world cultural history, or exceptional value for scholarship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Historic Royal Palaces</span> Charity that manages some UK royal palaces

Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that manages some of the United Kingdom's unoccupied royal palaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyoto Imperial Palace</span> Former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan

The Kyōto Imperial Palace is the former palace of the Emperor of Japan, located in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Since the Meiji Restoration in 1869, the Emperors have resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, while the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace was ordered in 1877. Today, the grounds are open to the public, and the Imperial Household Agency hosts public tours of the buildings several times a day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akasaka Palace</span> State guest house in Japan

Akasaka Palace is a state guest house of the government of Japan. Other state guesthouses include the Kyoto State Guest House and the Osaka State Guest House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiko, Crown Princess of Japan</span> Japanese princess

Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino, is the wife of Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino. Her husband is the younger brother and heir presumptive of Emperor Naruhito of Japan and the second son of Emperor emeritus Akihito and Empress emerita Michiko.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Tomohito of Mikasa</span> Japanese prince

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa". Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the "Bearded Prince". He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Tomohito of Mikasa</span> Japanese princess

Princess Tomohito of Mikasa is a member of the Japanese Imperial Family as the widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial House of Japan</span> Members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan

The Imperial House, also referred to as the Imperial Family and the House of Yamato, is the royal family of Japan, consisting of those members of the extended family of the reigning emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Other members of the Imperial Family perform ceremonial and social duties, but have no role in the affairs of government. The duties as an emperor are passed down the line to their male children. This Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. The Imperial House recognizes 126 monarchs, beginning with Emperor Jimmu, and continuing up to the current emperor, Naruhito. However, scholars have agreed that there is no evidence of Jimmu's existence, that the traditional narrative of Japan's founding is mythical, and that Jimmu is a mythical figure. Historical evidence for the first 25 emperors is mythical, but there is sufficient evidence of an unbroken agnatic line since the early 6th century. Historically, verifiable emperors of Japan start from AD 539 with Emperor Kinmei.

Ōmiya Palace refers to a residence of the Empress Dowager of Japan. Literally, Ōmiya means Large Palace, but it is also a courtesy title of the Empress Dowager. Thus, the name Ōmiya Palace does not refer to any specific place, such as Ōmiya-ku, Saitama. In the modern history, there are three palaces called Ōmiya Palace:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heian Palace</span> Original imperial palace of Heian-kyō, the capital of Japan

The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō, then the capital of Japan. Both the palace and the city were constructed in the late 700s and were patterned on Chinese models and designs. The palace served as the imperial residence and the administrative centre for most of the Heian period (794–1185).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chihaya Castle</span> Japanese Kamakura-period castle

Chihaya Castle is a late Kamakura period Japanese castle located in the village of Chihayaakasaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 1934.

In Japan, the Sentō Imperial Palace traditionally does not refer to a single location, but to any residence of retired emperors. Before Akihito abdicated in 2019, the last Emperor to retire did so in 1817, so the designation commonly refers to the historical Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace (京都仙洞御所).

In Japan, the Tōgū Palace traditionally does not refer to a single location, but to any residence of the imperial crown prince. As Prince Akishino, the current heir presumptive, is not a direct male descendant to the Emperor and not an imperial crown prince himself, there is currently no Tōgū Palace in Japan and there will not be one until there is another imperial crown prince.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Takanawa Residence</span> Japanese imperial residence

The Takanawa Imperial Residence is an Imperial residence in Tokyo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akasaka Estate</span> Land in Akasaka, Tokyo

The Akasaka Estate is a park-like Japanese Imperial Estate, site of several major existing and former Imperial residences in the district of Moto-Akasaka, Minato Special Ward, Tokyo. Besides Prince Hitachi, who lives in Higashi, Shibuya, and the Emperor Emeritus, who lives in Takanawa Residence until April 2022, many members of the Imperial Family have their official residence on this estate, currently including the Emperor himself. The estate is not accessible to the general public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rikyū-in</span> Palace in Mie Prefecture, Japan

The Rikyū-in (離宮院跡) is the ruins of a detached palace located in the Obata neighborhood of the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1924.

References