Ok, in this case I can guess that there are two different places in Tokyo Imperial Palace:
- for meeting imperor family. It is free on 2 january, as noted in previouse post, without any preliminary registration
- some another place, which is open all round year except some special dates according published schedule:
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/sankan/...ecept/initDate
Visiting this place should be forestalled by "application for visit" by phone or via net. The place includes also East Gardens, however they could be closed also according schedule above.
Is it correct?