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By JUNKO MIYASAKO/ Staff Writer
April 3, 2026 at 16:23 JST
👁 Photo/Illutration
The Imperial Palace in central Tokyo is surrounded by greenery, including the East Gardens where a cafe is scheduled to be built inside a rest area. (Asahi Shinbun file photo)
Visitors to the Imperial Palace’s popular East Gardens will be able to stop for coffee when a new rest facility opens this autumn.
A cafe to be added inside the provisionally named Ote rest area is expected to be operated by Sarutahiko Coffee Inc., a Tokyo‑based specialty coffee purveyor.
The company acquired preferential negotiation rights in a bid for the cafe space in January.
It will consult with the Imperial Household Agency on interior design, equipment, menu and other details before concluding a formal contract.
The agency has been building the rest area near the Ote-mon gate since fiscal 2024 in response to a growing number of foreign tourists visiting the Imperial Palace.
The total budget is 6.3 billion yen ($40 million).
The East Gardens, dotted with remnants of the former Edo Castle, allow visitors to enjoy seasonal flora that include cherry blossoms.
They have been open to the public since 1968 as long as there is no interference with imperial ceremonies and other official functions.
Until now, there have been no cafes or dining facilities within the grounds.
According to the agency, the rest area will also feature a section with information about the imperial family in an accessible manner, as well as a shop where visitors can purchase commemorative items.
The agency said it aims to provide services that will be a memorable part of visitors’ experience at the Imperial Palace.
The rest area is also designed to emphasize a sense of unity with the nearby Museum of the Imperial Collections, known as Sannomaru Shozokan, which is scheduled to reopen at the same time, following renovations.
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