People are getting a chance to enjoy the autumn foliage inside a section of the Imperial Palace that is usually closed to the public.

A 600-meter-long avenue that runs through the palace, Inui Street, is lined with about 70 maple trees of eight different varieties.

As soon as the gates opened at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, a crowd of people who had been waiting began to file in.

The autumn foliage in Tokyo has yet to peak as temperatures this year have been warmer than usual.

The Imperial Household Agency says the leaves are expected to change color over the next week.

Visitors slowly walked along the avenue and took pictures.

A man in his 40s who came with his wife said, although the foliage has yet to peak, some of the changing leaves were still perfect, and that it was a refreshing experience.

A woman in her 50s visiting with friends from Tsuruoka City in the northeastern prefecture of Yamagata said she had never been inside the palace before, and that it is a lovely avenue.

She said as she walked along, she couldn't help but think that the Emperor also walks there.

Inui Street will remain open to the public through December 3.