I’m not quite sure what to expect other than a huge crowd and the family giving a speech. I’d be mainly interested in the area, especially since you can only visit twice a year, instead of the family to be honest. Is it worth going considering the crowd is probably gonna be massive after it happening the first time in a few years?
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Anyone been there and can share some experiences? Can you roam around in there, or are you just stuck in the crowd infront of where the family will make an appearance?
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When a couple years ago. You can’t freely roam around, and the area you can go is limited to the Totei plaza the front of the Chowaden (where the large veranda is). You’ll get a closer look to the Imperial Agency when you leave, but don’t expect to see the back of the palace, the Fukiage gardens or the Fukiage palace where the Emperor lives. The visitable area is similar to the daily guided tours (though you exit by the Inui gate, which is usually not accessible). It’s quite short, the speech of the Emperor is not very long, but you’ll get a good look at the whole family.
It’s clearly not to “visit”, but to see the family. By itself it’s quite an experience, though.
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Edit: [did you apply](https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sanga/sanga04.html)?
There is a little bit of a walk inside of territory till exit after “waving and greeting” stage, free paper flags of Japan and glimpse of Imperial family. Maybe as a once a lifetime experience – it is fine. If you come for architecture – it is not worth it.
Kind of sucks that the previous emperor and this emperor both have winter birthdays. The gardens look like they would be beautiful in spring but in the middle of winter it’s just kind of dead. It’s an experience, but not all that great of one.
If you are really into the imperial family then it would be cool I guess. I my self can’t imagine waiting In line for hours to see some おじさん🤔🤷😂. That’s me tho 🎉🙆