Akasaka Palace: A random yet inspiring ride

''Having no destination, I am never lost'' Ikkyu

I remember wandering around Tokyo after my marketing class, craving for fresh air in nature. I needed to find a place with peaceful vibes of a shrine or a park. Those kinds of places are all over the city and bring a nice scenic contrast to Tokyo's modern landscape full of skylines and busy people. Having no walking plan but stray around using my GPS, my expedition would end up in a visit to the Akasaka State Guest House. The place was not so far from my University and is well known for hosting VIPs visiting Japan from all over the world. There are already lots of resources on the Akasaka State Guest House available on the internet. Also, down below you'll find some extra details to help if you're interested in visiting the Akasaka State Guest House. Enjoy the ride!

Akasaka State Guest House

This is simply one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to; it is like a large jewel right in the middle of Tokyo. The Akasaka Palace or Akasaka State Guest House was originally made to be the Crown Prince's Palace.

To date, it provides accommodation mainly for state and official guests of the Japanese Government from all over the world. I remember chattering with a few friends of mine over President Trump's visit to Japan a few weeks after me moving to Tokyo. I could not believe that a top personality of our modern world was going to live just a few steps away from the place I was going to school! Although I had no idea why he was coming to Japan, I was just thrilled and feeling lucky!

At the palace’s front gate, there were police officers watching over and guiding people on their way. They were helping the elderly cross over the highway. I had no idea whether I should just walk in through the gate or ask my way; so I waited until they finished help this bunch of seniors cross the road and asked them where I should go. The police officers were so kind and helpful. I remember at first I was trying to walk in through the main gate then this agent halted me right there, then I asked him if I could be allowed in any way. He said both gently and firmly ‘’ Yes, but this is not the way, if you want to get in, please follow those people all the way to the west gate’’.

Credits: My self

Sorry, you have to wait in line!

So I finally got in. The place is really big and many walkways going to diverse directions. Luckily, I had the elderly peloton that I followed from behind until the registration counter. There was a long queue ahead as if the whole of Japan was having a meeting that day at Akasaka Palace, so I had to wait my turn in line.

Whether you like it or not, the first thing you have to go through when you reach the reception desk is a hand baggage inspection. Then you have to buy your ticket. A funny thing I remember is that I paid the entry when it was actually free for students. That day a lady-agent came to me to tell me I DO NOT have to pay if I am a student, but I did not really listen. I was too upset by the way she sounded to listen her through and inside my head I was like ‘’Come on! Of I course I can afford the entry fees!’’ I responded showing her the money, not knowing she was trying to tell me a news that would save my life, I mean spare my money, I learned my lesson. My friend Alexander told me later on; so frustrating.

The fee was something about ¥1,000, not sure I remember the exact amount but it definitely was something like that. Akasaka Palace is a national treasure, so I guess you pay those fees for repair and maintenance purposes.

Inside the Palace

Before entering the palace, you are given a brochure and a guide map. You can even purchase the audio guide in English if you can’t understand Japanese or you don't feel at your ease going on your own without any assistance.

I did not buy any of those, I didn't even care what was documented in the guide map, I just jumped straight into the entrance... On the descriptions I am going to give below, some of the details like names will heavily draw on the texts from the brochure.

Give place to the discovery! It felt as if I had entered a new world. The motifs on the wall, the paintings on the ceiling, the refinement of this interior was of rare beauty and perfection. The main building comprises the Entrance Hall along with the Grand Staircase and four different rooms: the Saira no Ma, the Kaicho no Ma, the Hagoromo no Ma and the Asahi no Ma.

I didn't know those names before, so I pledge that information is not mine but from the brochure. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to take pictures on the inside.

Just so you get an idea, here is a slideshow of the interior I made picking pictures from Google. From left to right : the Saira no Ma, the Kaicho no Ma, the Hagoromo no Ma and the Asahi no Ma.

One room, in particular, got my attention, the paintings on the ceiling made me feel like I was in heaven. I hope I could attach a picture of it somewhere on here. They brought me insights into some of my futuristic house's plans if I suddenly win the lottery. The painting suggested a floor made of glass built right atop the water from a river stream. All over the glass floor, there would be some marble patterns paving a flowing walkway inside the room. The room had plenty of doors that lead to the exterior and each balcony would be surrounded by flowers and trees to host birds. Imagine a house that is built in such a fashion, where you can enjoy the beauty of mankind's craft while you connect with nature, truly inspiring!

The Way Out the Building

During the expedition, I could talk to a few people with a mixture of Japanese and English. The rest of the time I was just moving around in hush, following groups of other tourists. I would stop by to admire the decor and I would get behind the other tourists. I would listen to some guide's speech and pick out some new words in Japanese and move on.

When I was done going up and down inside the palace, then came the time to walk out. Looking for my way out was the time I got lost. So I talked to the agent. I started with English, then I began to add some Japanese, the most I knew, and God knows my Japanese was not a blast. But I kept going in order to create more sympathy between us. The performance was worth a shot. The lady got the vibe and we began to talk. She asked about where I am from and where I school in Japan. She could speak some English. She was very kind and honestly, all the Japanese people I know are incredibly kind: it seems it's in their DNA.

So now I was finally out! The last thing I wanted to visit before I called it a day was the backyard fountain.

The Backyard Fountain

Credits: My self

The fountain is located at the very edge of the compound. You walk through the main garden and you're here. It's a nice place to take pictures at and enjoy the original waterworks. I was too shy to ask someone to help take a picture of me, and I was too reluctant to take a selfie, so I ended up photographing the scenery.

Getting out of the palace became a big deal, I had to ask my directions again because looking for a specific door to the way out made the compound suddenly look like a maze: only when I started to look for a destination that I got lost, funny thing!

So a last word to end this post, if you're into architecture and interior design and you find yourself in Japan, or if you just like discovering new spots on the map, this is definitely a place you should like to visit. And please prepare your entry fees or occasionally, a proof that you're a student in Japan, in order to get free of charge. Extra tip: you can bring some money to buy food and drinks or you can bring your own food or snacks, you'll spend a long time in there so you might be hungry any time soon.

Should you have any question, comment, thought, please feel free to share it down here on the comments section. Sayonara !