South Korea: Deoksugung Palace

2014 Oct: Deoksugung Palace Night Lights

During spring and autumn, 2 grand palaces in Seoul offers special open night tickets, where tourists and locals can get inside until late night.

South Korea: Secret Garden (Huwon)

"Secret Garden" is a special part of Changdeokgung Palace.

The course is to visit and view the previously off-limits area, but now open to public but still in limited thrice a day visit with 50 persons in a time, all strictly guided tours.  This area they say has very special meaning in ecological preservation as well as cultural properties protection. [Read More]  We were guided to walk along the grounds, excluding the main building parts of palace which are still off-limits.

2012 Nov: Kyoto: Imperial Palace

Beautiful ginkgo tree taken from the guided bus tour while going to the Imperial Palace.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.

Reference: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3917.html

Kyoto Imperial Palace is the last stop for the Kyoto morning tour.  It is good to join on a tour since the palace has exclusive compound that can only be accessed if you are part of an organized group.  We’re always being reminded by our guide that we should stay on our line.  Although, none of the buildings can be entered, perhaps they are just protecting the area.

Top of the entrance gate (Okurumayouse) for official visits by courtiers who had been granted permission to enter the Palace precincts.