I understand that the Imperial Palace grounds are open on December 23 (Emperor's birthday) and on January 2 for the New Year's Greeting.

Am wondering what it would be like to go on January 2. I think the royal family comes out, waves, goes back in and the emperor comes out and gives a new year's greeting. Is that it? Is that worth the trip, to get on the palace grounds? Is there more to see?

It's my understanding that these are only 2 days in the year that the inner grounds are open to the public. The Royal Family comes out onto the balcony at some scheduled times to wave. That's it as far as I know.

Not having been, I can imagine that it is insanely crowded. For me, it wouldn't be worth braving the crowds...but if you are one of the many Royal Family fans it may well be. There is something great about seeing someone you admire up close and personal...and that's as up close and personal as you are going to get unless you are even more lucky.

Is there more to see inside this private part of the grounds...as far as I can tell, not really...but that's just my opinion from seeing on the TV...there may well be something of interest that I don't know about.

Making another winter trip to Japan?

mrw: What happened to your website? I wanted to show the pictures to my daughter but it's not where it was.

Dunno about your ?, but ditto Kim's ? What's up.

p.s. If no answer to your ? here, this is a good ? for japan-guide.com

I am toying with the idea of going to Japan over New Year's. I have a cert for a free ticket on United and it would be best to use at least the outbound part this year. Would buy a ticket (and expect to be upgraded) to come back at the beginning of Jan. and return on Apr 6 or 7 for sakura matsuri and then back home on the free ticket after the Takayama spring festival.

I found a webpage of the IP Household Agency. It shows the schedule of multiple (8 or so) appearances:
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e17/ed17-02.html
Might be a bit wacky to do (this is good/bad) and certainly would be a unique event.

Was thinking of spending a few days in Tokyo and then maybe check out Okinawa. But a visit to a friend in Yonezawa and a visit to Nikko is probably the better idea. Maybe Buenos Aires instead.

I changed webhosts in the summer to get better functionality and more control over the webpages. Didn't like the pre-set way they did photo albums. Haven't had time to get it going there, though. Maybe in two weeks I will have time if I don't go to Japan.

If you go April 7, you will be arriving on the same day we are arriving, the 8th. If you go into Narita, we might be able to go out for sushi. If you go to Nikko and get tired of the temples, try that Tobu Square park w/all the scale reproductions of famous world landmark bldgs. It looks pretty unique.
Let us know when your site is back up.
And tell the emporer "howdy" from all the Asia fodorites.