The Akasaka Palace State Guest House, the government’s active state guest facility that hosts distinguished guests from overseas, will hold a special four-day extended evening opening from Saturday, September 19, through Tuesday, September 22 (a national holiday). During this period, the main building will be illuminated after sunset, and the facility will remain open until 8:00 p.m.
The beautiful illumination of the classical and majestic architecture, emerging from the darkness, offers an extraordinary sight on these long autumn nights.
In addition, the “Main Entrance Hall”—which is normally off-limits to the public—will be open for a special viewing, and a special exhibition will be held inside the main building.
A “Garden Café” and “Music Stage” are also scheduled to be set up in the front garden, allowing visitors to relax while enjoying music and food and drinks against the backdrop of the illuminated historic buildings.
No advance reservation is required for general admission. It’s great that visitors can easily drop by to fit it into their long weekend plans. (Advance reservations are required for tours of the Japanese-style annex and for group visits.)
Nighttime Open House & Illumination
📅 September 19 (Sat) – 22 (Tue, holiday)
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Illumination begins around 5:30 p.m., after sunset)
*Last admission: Main Building 7:00 PM / Front Garden 7:30 PM / Main Garden 5:45 PM
*Admission to the Main Garden will not be permitted after 6:00 p.m.
*Depending on crowd conditions, you may not be able to enter even if you arrive before the last admission time, so please allow plenty of time for your visit.
Garden Café
📅 September 19 (Sat) – 23 (Wed, holiday)
📍Front Garden
⏰ Hours: September 19 (Sat) – 22 (Tue, holiday) 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (last food order at 7:15 p.m. / last drink order at 7:30 p.m.); September 23 (Wed, holiday) 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last food and drink orders at 4:30 p.m.)
*The event may be canceled in case of inclement weather.
Music Stage
📅September 21 (Mon, holiday) and 22 (Tue, holiday)
📍Front Garden (Main Building Main Entrance)
⏰ Session 1: 4:00 PM– / Session 2: 6:45 PM– (Approx. 25 minutes per session)
Performers: Miho Terachi, Philip Wu, Hank Nishiyama
*The event may be canceled in case of inclement weather.
Special Exhibition Inside the Main Building
📅 September 19 (Sat) – 23 (Wed, holiday)
🎟️Admission Fee
Main Building and Gardens: General admission 1,500 yen, college students 1,000 yen, middle and high school students 500 yen, elementary school students and younger free
Japanese-style Annex, Main Building, and Gardens: General Admission: 2,000 yen; College Students: 1,500 yen; Middle and High School Students: 700 yen
Japanese-Style Annex and Gardens: General Admission: 1,500 yen; College Students: 1,000 yen; Middle and High School Students: 500 yen
Gardens: General admission 300 yen; free for college students and younger
💡No advance reservation required
*Advance reservations are required for visits to the Japanese-style annex and for groups of 20 or more.
*Please note that visits may be canceled at short notice due to operational circumstances at the State Guest House.
