Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

TOKYO, Japan - A group of visitors stroll through the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in a guided tour for the elderly people on Sept. 13. The Imperial Household Agency opens the 25-hectare Fukiage gardens twice a year, once in May mainly for children and once around Respect for the Aged Day for people aged over 70. Ninety people visited the gardens on Sept. 13. They were chosen by lottery from among 1,900 applicants, according to palace officials. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

TOKYO, Japan - A group of visitors stroll through the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in a guided tour for the elderly people on Sept. 13. The Imperial Household Agency opens the 25-hectare Fukiage gardens twice a year, once in May mainly for children and once around Respect for the Aged Day for people aged over 70. Ninety people visited the gardens on Sept. 13. They were chosen by lottery from among 1,900 applicants, according to palace officials. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

TOKYO, Japan - The Imperial Household Agency organized a nature-observing event in the Imperial Palace's Fukiage woodland area on May 4, allowing the general public to walk through the area for the first time. Photo shows participants in the event observing part of the 25-hectare park, which abounds in natural beauty and has been left almost untouched for about 70 years. (Pool photo)

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a nature-observing event May 4 in the Imperial Palace's Fukiage woodland area enjoy a walk along a 1-kilometer route in the 25-hectare park, which abounds in natural beauty and has been left almost untouched for about 70 years. Emperor Akihito proposed organizing the two-day event for the general public in observance of the four-week ''Greenery period.''(Pool photo)

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

TOKYO, Japan - A group of visitors stroll through the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in a guided tour for the elderly people on Sept. 13. The Imperial Household Agency opens the 25-hectare Fukiage gardens twice a year, once in May mainly for children and once around Respect for the Aged Day for people aged over 70. Ninety people visited the gardens on Sept. 13. They were chosen by lottery from among 1,900 applicants, according to palace officials. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

Imperial Palace's inner gardens open to the public

TOKYO, Japan - A group of visitors stroll through the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in a guided tour for the elderly people on Sept. 13. The Imperial Household Agency opens the 25-hectare Fukiage gardens twice a year, once in May mainly for children and once around Respect for the Aged Day for people aged over 70. Ninety people visited the gardens on Sept. 13. They were chosen by lottery from among 1,900 applicants, according to palace officials. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a nature-observing event May 4 in the Imperial Palace's Fukiage woodland area enjoy a walk along a 1-kilometer route in the 25-hectare park, which abounds in natural beauty and has been left almost untouched for about 70 years. Emperor Akihito proposed organizing the two-day event for the general public in observance of the four-week ''Greenery period.''(Pool photo)(Kyodo)

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

Imperial Palace opens Fukiage area to public for 1st time

TOKYO, Japan - The Imperial Household Agency organized a nature-observing event in the Imperial Palace's Fukiage woodland area on May 4, allowing the general public to walk through the area for the first time. Photo shows participants in the event observing part of the 25-hectare park, which abounds in natural beauty and has been left almost untouched for about 70 years. (Pool photo)(Kyodo)