Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho)

Although Japan’s royal family haven’t lived in the Kyoto Imperial Palace(Kyoto Gosho) for more than 150 years, the imperial furnishings have been preserved and reflect the life of the royals in the mid-19th century. The beautifully landscaped Kyoto Imperial Park surrounding the palace contain jogging trails, picnic benches, numerous plants and water features, and is one of the finest public gardens in the city.

Travelers can visit the Imperial Palace independently, or as part of a full- or half-day sightseeing tour of Kyoto. Such excursions also tend to include sites such as the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, and Nijo Castle. The palace is located in Kyoto City, to the north of Kyoto Station, so is a convenient stop on sightseeing tours of the city.

• Admission to the park is free.

• While the gardens can be visited independently, the palace buildings can only be entered by prior arrangement with the palace authorities.

• The palace is very close to Nijo Castle, and the two places can be visited together in a convenient morning or afternoon of sightseeing.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace(Kyoto Gosho) is located between two JR Subway stations, Imadegawa and Marutamachi, both of which are a short walk away. Imadegawa station is a bit closer to the entrance gate.

The palace is closed Mondays, as well as from December 28 until January 4, plus some other public holidays. From April to August, it is open from 9am until 5pm; in September and March, from 9am until 4:30pm; and from October to February, from 9am until 4pm. Last admissions are allowed in 40 minutes before the grounds close.

While it’s not easy to go inside the Imperial Palace itself, visitors can go inside Kaninnomiya Mansion, a restored Edo-period luxury home within the Imperial Park. There were once hundreds of such mansions around the Imperial Palace, but this is the only survivor. The mansion, teahouse, and gardens with a pond are worth visiting—plus, they’re also free.

Some of the main attractions in Putrajaya include Putrajaya Lake (a popular spot for fishing and water sports) and Perdana Putra (which houses the Prime Minister of Malaysia's office). Religious buildings include Puta Mosque, the city's main house of worship, and the Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (Masjid Besi).

Putrajaya is south of Kuala Lumpur, about a half-hour drive from the city (depending on traffic). You can also take KLIA Transit from Putrajaya Sentral to KL Sentral in around 20 minutes. Tours from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya are particularly convenient and typically include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Yes, there are lots of dining options in Putrajaya. Here, you'll find everything from street food vendors to upscale restaurants serving cuisine worldwide. Head to the Masjid Putra area for street food, or go to Prsint15 to try Chinese halal fare at Mohd Chan.

Yes, guided tours of Putrajaya are available. Tours typically depart from Kuala Lumpur and last a few hours to a full day. Some tours include a boat ride on Putrajaya Lake. Many tours to Putrajaya also involve visiting the UNESCO-listed Batu Caves north of central Kuala Lumpur.

Sort of. While you can wear whatever you want to Putrajaya, you must follow specific rules for visiting many of its attractions. The Perdana Putra requires victors to wear smart attire (collared shirts for men and modest clothes for women), while mosques expect you to remove your shoes and cover up before entering.

The best time of year to visit Putrajaya is between April and October, outside the rainy season when you're less likely to get caught in a downpour. However, remember that Putrajaya is muggy year-round, so dress accordingly. Note that pollution is often at its worst from June until August.