Japanese politics come to life here at the National Diet Building. You may not know, but the National Diet Building is actually open to the public and provides tours.
The tour shows you the up-close behind the scenes of Japanese politics. Sign-ups are available at the individual, and best of all, it's free!
Here, we will introduce you to this educational tour that is open to anybody interested in the Japanese National Diet Building!
About The National Diet Building
The National Diet Building, or "Kokkai-Gijido" in Japanese, is the center of Japanese politics, where important decisions are made every day.
The building was completed in 1936, after 16 long years of construction. The building is made in a symmetrical shape, and looking from the front, the building on the left-hand side is the House of Representatives (衆議院; shuugi-in), and building on the right hand side is the House of Councilors (参議院; sangi-in).
The national diet building from the front
The House of Representatives and the House of Councilors come together in the National Diet Building to pass legislature. From revisions to the constitutions to setting up the provisional budget, all government decisions are made in this building. By joining the tour of the National Diet Building, you can have a first-hand look into Japan’s politics.
About the National Diet Building Tour
The tour is guided by a staff of the National Diet Building. Through the tour, you will receive the opportunity to enter into rooms where congress meetings are held. You can visit both buildings, but you must sign up separately for each of them.
What will you see on the National Diet Tour?
The Main Chambers, where Real-Life Politics Takes Place
The large halls in each of the two buildings are often referred to as the “main chambers”. This is where the sessions are held for each respective house. When viewing the main chambers from above, you can see the intricate details of the architecture. The seats are aligned in a perfect half-moon shape, with delicate designs and carvings on even the chairs. Such elements are hard to spot through the screen or in photos; nothing compares to seeing the main chambers with your own eyes.
The Front Garden has a Full View of the Diet Building's Exterior
The front garden of the National Diet Building
The tour ends at the Front Garden. From here, you can view the entirety of the National Diet Building. With the whole building right behind you, this is the perfect photo spot.
Ginkgo tree
The tree planted in the garden was planted as an 80th anniversary celebration of the building. The significant gingko tree in the front garden existed even before the National Diet Building did, and stands as a guardian of the building.
House of Representatives vs. House of Councillors
Which tour is better?
Tours are available for both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Both tours take approximately 1 hour, but which should you choose if you only have time for one? Here, we will introduce the features of both tours.
House of Representatives Tour
Main chambers
The House of Representatives tour goes in the order of: House of Representatives main chamber, resting area, imperial room, central hall and front garden.
Photos are allowed at the House of Representatives main chamber. Most other areas of the building do not allow photography, so the House of Representatives tour is ideal for those who want to get some snaps.
House of Councillors tour
The House of Councillors tour goes in the order of: visitors lobby, main chamber, resting area, central hall and front garden.
House of Councillors lobby
The most impressive part of the House of Councillors tour has to be the visitors' lobby that participants enter in the beginning. This lobby can only be visited on this tour. Here, you will see historical exhibits from when the House of Nobles was in operation, that show the history of the House of Counciloors.
Parliamentary seats
Realistic parliament seats are placed in the lobby, so sit in one to feel like a real politician! The House of Councillors also has very few stairs, making it an accessible tour for people with physical disabilities.
Things to be Mindful of During the National Diet Tour
House of Councillors tour only takes place on week days
The House of Councillors tour only takes place on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and begin at every hour. The House of Representatives tour is open on weekends as well.
Parliamentary Session days
On days when parliamentary sessions are held in the main chamber, the entire National Diet Building is closed from an hour before the session until the end of the session. The building is also entirely closed on days of special events, so be sure to check online beforehand.
Photography is only allowed in 3 places
Photography is prohibited in all but three areas of the National Diet Building. Photos are only allowed at the House of Representatives main chamber, the House of Councillors visitors' lobby and the front garden for both houses.
How to Participate in the National Diet Tour
Registration form
You can sign up for the tours at the visitors window. Fill in the registration form and you’re ready to go. There is an English registration form available for non-Japanese speakers as well.
Entry hours
■House of Councillors tour
Weekdays: 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.; tour starts every hour.
■House of Representatives tour
Weekdays: 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.; tour starts every hour.
Weekends and National Holidays: tours start at 9:30a.m., 10:30a.m., 11:30a.m., 1:00p.m., 2:00p.m., 3:00p.m..
English guidance
The tour itself is only conducted in Japanese, but there are English pamphlets provided.
Access to the National Diet Building
Nearest station: Kokkai-gijidomae Station 国会議事堂前駅 (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line M14 and Chiyoda LineC07)
From Shinjuku Station
【Shinjuku Sta.】Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / for Ikebukuro
→ 【Kokkai-gijidomae Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 1-minute walk
From Tokyo Station
【Tokyo Sta.】Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / for Ogikubo
→【Kokkai-gijidomae Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 1-minute walk
From Narita Airport
【Narita Airport Sta.】Keisei Line / for Keisei Ueno
→【Nippori Sta.】JR Yamanote Line / for Shinagawa
→【Tokyo Sta.】Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / for Ogikubo
→【Kokkai-gijidomae Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 1-minute walk
From Haneda Airport
【Haneda Airport Sta.】Keikyu Line / for Shinagawa
→【Mita Sta.】Toei Mita Line / for Otemachi
→【Hibiya Sta.】Tokyo Metro Hibiya / for Karakida
→【Kokkai-gijidomae Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 1-minute walk
The National Diet Building is a Surprisingly Easy Visit
Exterior of the National Diet Building
This building stands as the central core of Japanese Politics. You will be able to feel the importance of its history from your visit. Please come visit the National Diet Building! The tours are friendly to people of all ages.
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