TOKYO >> The Imperial Household Agency announced that it will start offering English-language guided tours of the Imperial Palace to the public this month.

The tours will be offered along with the existing Japanese-language guided tours provided twice a day from Tuesday to Saturday. The tours will not be available during the year-end and New Year holidays as well as on certain other days. The tour route includes Fujimi-yagura (Mt. Fuji-view Keep), which is a remnant of Edo Castle, and the agency building.

According to the agency, half of the participants in conventional guided tours are non-Japanese who use a multilingual audio guide app.

The agency plans for the English-language tours to help visitors learn about history and other things about Japan while touring the Imperial Palace.