Lights and special night opening

24 and 25 December 2016
Akasaka Palace State Guesthouse

日本語

The Akasaka Palace, located in Tokyo, is a state guest house to receive foreign dignitaries. The main building, constructed in 1909 as the Crown Prince’s Palace, is distinguished by its sumptuous appearance of a European palace. Designed by the architect Tokuma Katayama, it is the sole and only architecture in the Neo-Baroque style existing in Japan, and designated as a national treasure.

The front garden, the main garden and the fountain are all formed in Western style. Inside, the main building is decorated beautifully and luxuriously, with well-appointed salons that are today used for such occasions as state dinners and signing ceremonies. Since the Japanese government decided to open the palace to the public more permanently in April 2016, some 500,000 people have visited to see the heritage.

Akasaka Palace State Guesthouse (courtesy: State Guest Houses, Cabinet Office)

This winter, for two days on 24 and 25 December, the Akasaka Palace will be illuminated and specially open to the public in the evening (5:15 pm – 8 pm, after the regular opening hours; prior reservation required). The night visit will be organized in a special manner: unlike the regular circuit, the visitors may enter from the West Entrance, admire two oil paintings by Tsuguharu Fujita and visit the Main Entrance Hall.

Take the opportunity to spend an exceptional night at the state guest house, perhaps with your special someone.

West Entrance (courtesy: State Guest Houses, Cabinet Office)

Armoured samurai (rooftop of the Main Entrance) (courtesy: State Guest Houses, Cabinet Office)

Main Entrance Hall (courtesy: State Guest Houses, Cabinet Office)

Illuminated Main Building (view from the west side) (courtesy: State Guest Houses, Cabinet Office)