The Imperial Palace is quite large and they don’t really let you just wander around. When you fill out an application you choose a date and time slot and during that time slot you get a guided tour of the place. As a photographer, I am not so sure it is worth going to, but just as a tourist I think it is worth it.

If you plan on going, make your reservation in advance, especially if you are going during peak travel seasons. If you have a choice, go in the fall as everything in Kyoto (and I guess most of the world) is more beautiful in the fall.