The grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo are open for the first time in three years.
People are now able to view the autumn foliage at the Japanese palace after a section of the grounds was reopened to the public. The first people entered on Saturday, 26 November, around 9 am.
They strolled along the 600-metre walkway where 70 maple trees of eight different varieties line the road.
The rainy weather did not stop the Japanese people from walking through the palace grounds.
Each year, Inui Street is opened in the spring to allow people to view the Cherry Blossoms and in the autumn to view the leaves as they change colours. However, due to the global health crisis, the palace grounds had been closed off to the public since the pandemic began.
In prior years, there was a second route through the East Gardens, but since the path often gets congested, it has been blocked off.
Those who visit the Imperial Palace are asked to wear masks, sanitise their hands and check their temperatures at the gates.
Inui Street is open until 4 December. Visitors have been told to enter through Sakashita-mon Gate and exit through Inui-mon Gate. It is open from 9 am until 3:30 pm each day.
