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Imperial Palace East Garden Reaches 40 Million Visits Since 1968

Rising inbound tourism is lifting attendance, prompting plans for a museum refresh alongside a new rest facility.

Overview

  • The Imperial Household Agency confirmed the cumulative visitor tally hit 40 million on December 11, marking the milestone for the garden opened to the public in 1968.
  • Attendance has rebounded from the pandemic downturn, topping two million in 2025 and reaching about 2.07 million by December 10, according to agency data.
  • Foreign visitors have roughly doubled over the past decade, and in 2024 they accounted for 56.9% of all entries, the first time they exceeded half.
  • The 40 millionth visitor, Yamada Yumiko of Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, received commemorative gifts from agency management chief Koga Hiroshi.
  • The agency plans to complete renewal work at the Sannomaru Shozokan and to open a cafe-attached rest area to improve the visitor experience.