In Japan, the Tōgū Palace traditionally does not refer to a single location, but to any residence of the Imperial Crown prince. As Prince Akishino, the current heir presumptive, is not a direct male descendant to the Emperor and not an Imperial Crown Prince himself, there is currently no Tōgū Palace in Japan and there will not be one until there is another Imperial Crown prince.
The palace where then-crown Prince Naruhito resided before his ascention to the Crysantheum throne on 1, May 2019 was called Tōgū Palace, but changed its name to Akasaka Palace when Naruhito became emperor. The Emperor currently uses this palace as his primary residence, until he moves to the Fukiage Palace of the Imperial Palace. Similarly, Akihito lived in this same palace when Hiroto died. Between his accession to the throne in 1989 to his moving to the Fukiage Palace in december 1993 the palace was also called Akasaka Palace. The Akasaka Palace is located in the Akasaka Estate in Moto-Akasaka and is not accessible to the public.
Overview
The site of the palace used to house the Ōmiya Palace, the residence of Empress Teimei, the consort of Emperor Taishō. After her death at the palace in 1951, the site was converted to the Crown Prince's residence. A reinforced-concrete building, designed by Yoshirō Taniguchi was achieved in 1960. It saw a first wave of expansion works in 1978. A Japanese Garden was added in 1994 for the arrival of the Crown Princess Masako. Additional renewal works took place in 1997. Works for a kid's area took place in 2001 as Masako was pregnant. A major series of renewal works took place for a year in 2008-2009, during which time the Prince lived temporarily in the smaller Akasaka East Palace of the estate, which was renamed for the occasion Temporary Togu Palace. Some solar panels were installed on the roof, as well as LED lighting. The palace has of 72 rooms. It has 2 floors and 1 basement floor.
Historical Tōgū Palaces
Early Tōgū Palaces
In Heian Palace, the Tōgū palace was located on the eastern side of the Dairi, the inner palace. Towards the beginning of the 10th century, the Shōyōsha, located inside the Dairi, came to be generally used as the Tōgū palace.
The Takanawa Residence was used as the Tōgū palace for the early years of Hirohito, future emperor Shōwa. After his wedding, he moved to Akasaka Palace.
