Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto

It's hard to appreciate the size and scale of the main buildings and palace gates. Each structure is huge, and the detail that goes into crafting the buildings is impressive. We cycled to the palace from a bike rental place near Kyoto Station. The ride was easy, and navigating to the palace and surrounding gardens was a breeze. Definitely a great way to get a feel for the city, and a nice break from taxis and trains. Admission is free, just need a mask and temperature check for entry. There is car and bike parking, and a waiting room with free lockers for your bags etc if needed. There is a free app to download for English tour information which is helpful. And each main building has a sign with additional information about the structure. It took around and hour to walk around everything, but mileage may vary based on your pace. It was snowing when we where there, so we walked rather briskly. Definitely worth a visit when you're in Kyoto.

A little brief history of the royal palace in the past when Kyoto was still the capital of Japan. You can explore the palace by following the guided trail. Should take you no more than 30 mins to complete it. If you fancy a stroll, the park compound outside the palace is great for walking. Best of all entry is free.