FAQ

Public Opening

Opening Schedule and Reservations

Q1. Where can I find the latest opening schedule and information about upcoming closures?: A1. Please check the Public Opening Schedule for the latest information.
We are closed on Wednesdays and during the year-end and New Year holidays. If Wednesday falls on a national holiday, we will be closed on the following weekday.
We may also be closed due to official engagements or other operational reasons.
Please check the latest information before your visit.
Q2. Can I visit without an advance reservation?: A2. Yes, if a guided tour has not reached capacity through advance reservations or if spots become available due to last-minute cancellations. Same-day entry slips are issued at the Seiwain Rest House on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q3. When do advance reservations open, and how can I make one?: A3. Reservations for each month open approximately two months in advance. For example, reservations for August open on the Wednesday of the final week of June.
Reservations can be made through the Public Opening Reservation System. We do not accept reservations by phone or post.
You can also change or cancel your reservation through the Public Opening Reservation System until 12:00 PM the day before your visit.
Q4. What are the opening hours?: A4. We are open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Last admission is at 3:30 PM.
Q5. How long does the guided tour take?: A5. The guided tour takes approximately 90 minutes.
Q6. Can I still enjoy the guided tour on a rainy day?: A6. Yes. The guided tour takes place indoors, and you can enjoy your visit regardless of the weather.
Please note that there is no covered walkway from the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place, to Kyoto State Guest House. Umbrellas are provided free of charge for the walk between the two buildings.
Q7. Are there any days or times when it is less crowded?: A7. Weekday afternoons, particularly Mondays, tend to be less crowded. Weekends, national holidays, and days with special programs are likely to be busier.
Q8. When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves?: A8. The weeping cherry tree is usually at its best from late March to early April, while the Japanese maples display their autumn colors from late November to early December. Both can be enjoyed from the roofed bridge.
The garden takes on a different character with each season. The dodan-tsutsuji bushes bloom with white flowers in spring, display fresh green leaves in summer, change color in autumn, and reveal their distinctive branches in winter.
Kyoto State Guest House is located within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. You can also enjoy the surrounding natural scenery.
Q9. What other sights are nearby?: A9. Kyoto State Guest House is located within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, which is also home to Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace.
For more information, please visit the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden website (opens in a new window). 別ウィンドウ

Getting Here and Visitor Information

Q10. How do I get to Kyoto State Guest House?

A10. You can get to Kyoto State Guest House by:

Bus: About a 7-minute walk from the Furitsu Idaibyoin-mae (Univ. Hospital / Kyoto Prefectural Univ. of Medicine) bus stop
Subway: About a 15-minute walk from Exit 3 of Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line
Train: About a 20-minute walk from Exit 3 of Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Railway
Taxi: About a 5-minute walk from the drop-off point at Seiwain-gomon Gate of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Please also see the area map (opens in a new window).

Q11. Is there parking for bicycles and cars?

A11. Kyoto State Guest House does not have a dedicated parking lot for visitors. A bicycle parking area is available near the West Gate of Kyoto State Guest House.
The following parking lots are located nearby:

Nakadachiuri Parking Lot (opens in a new window)(cars and coaches) 別ウィンドウ
Seiwain Parking Lot (opens in a new window)(cars only) 別ウィンドウ

Q12. Can I visit Kyoto State Guest House in a wheelchair?

A12. Yes. Visitors are asked to use one of our wheelchairs as part of our measures to protect the building. Our wheelchairs are available free of charge.
If you wish to use your own wheelchair, our staff will first check it and then wipe down any parts that come into contact with the floor.
Walking sticks are also available free of charge.
Please let our staff know if you would like to borrow any of these items.

Q13. Can I visit with an infant or child?

A13. We’re sorry, but children aged 12 and younger, including toddlers and infants, will not be admitted.

Q14. Are lockers available?

A14. Yes. 100-yen refundable lockers are available at the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place. There is no change machine. Please bring a 100-yen coin with you.
Large items that do not fit in the lockers can be left with our staff at the reception desk.

Q15. Is there a dress code for visiting Kyoto State Guest House?

A15.

There is no formal dress code. You are welcome to visit in casual clothing. However, admission may be refused if your clothing could significantly detract from the dignity or atmosphere of Kyoto State Guest House or make other visitors uncomfortable. For more information, please see the Visitor Rules & Regulations.

Please note that you will be asked to change into slippers inside the building.
As the paths through Kyoto Gyoen National Garden are covered with gravel, comfortable shoes such as sneakers are recommended.

Q16. Can I pay the admission fee by credit card or electronic money?

A16.

Yes. Payment is made at the ticket machines on the day of your visit. In addition to cash, the following payment methods are accepted:

Credit cards: JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and Mastercard
Electronic money (transportation IC cards): Kitaca, Suica, PASMO, TOICA, manaca, ICOCA, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken (excluding PiTaPa)
Please note that QR code payments are not accepted.

Visitor Services

Q17. Is a multilingual audio guide available?

A17.

Yes. In addition to the live explanations provided during the guided tour, free tablets featuring the Kyoto State Guest House Official App are available. The app offers multilingual audio commentary, along with text, photographs, and videos about the history, architecture, and furnishings of Kyoto State Guest House.
To borrow a tablet, please ask our staff at the Seiwain Rest House.

Available languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, and German

Q18. Is there a brochure for visitors?

A18.

Yes. Brochures are available at the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place.

Available languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, and Spanish

Q19. Can I take photographs?

A19.

Yes. Photography is permitted during the tour. You are welcome to share your photos on social media using the hashtag #kyotostateguesthouse.
Please keep the following rules in mind when taking photos:

Photography is not permitted in certain areas. Our staff will let you know during the tour.
Video recording, flash photography, and commercial photography are not permitted.
Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks may not be used.

Eat, Drink, Rest, and Shop

Q20. Is there a place where I can eat or take a break?

A20. Yes. You may eat, drink, and take a break at the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place. There is no restaurant or café, but you can buy drinks from a vending machine. Food is not sold.
Please be aware that food and drinks, including candy and chewing gum, are not allowed on the premises of Kyoto State Guest House.

Q21. Does Kyoto State Guest House have any exclusive souvenirs?

A21. Yes. You can find a wide range of exclusive items at the souvenir shop in the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place.
Popular items include a commemorative keepsake bearing the date of your visit and wallets made from the same Nishijin upholstery fabric used on chairs at Kyoto State Guest House.

Payment methods: Cash, credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are accepted.
Inquiries: Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau (opens in a new window) (Japanese-language website) 別ウィンドウ

Q22. What should I do with my trash?

A22. There are no trash cans in Kyoto State Guest House or the Seiwain Rest House. Please take any trash with you when you leave.

Q23. Is there a vending machine for drinks?

A23. Yes. There is one at the Seiwain Rest House, where reception takes place.