Fukiage Palace

Building structure and role

Designed by Shōzō Uchii, it was completed in 1993 at a cost of ¥5.6 billion (US$52 million, equivalent to US$110 million in 2023). A reinforced concrete structure, it has an area of roughly 4,940 m² (53,200 sq ft). It consists of sixty-two rooms spread over three floors, including a basement level.

It has three main wings:

• A residential wing of private apartments on the eastern side, consisting of seventeen rooms, for a total floor area of 870 m² (9,400 sq ft).
• A wing of thirty-two office rooms on the northern side.
• A wing dedicated to guest receptions on the southern side, consisting of eleven rooms.

This palace is where the Emperor lives, not to be confused with the main palace (宮殿, Kyūden), where various imperial court functions and receptions take place, and where most dinners with foreign heads of state happen.