In a bid to draw more tourists to Japan, the government says it will expand public access to more than a dozen state-owned facilities, including the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace and the Bank of Japan.

The move to increase public access to 15 designated facilities will be part of a new tourism strategy to be compiled this month by a panel headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and comprising ministers and tourism experts.

The idea is to open Kyoto Imperial Palace in the ancient capital throughout the year, including on weekends. The palace, established in 1855, is open to the public twice a year — five days in spring and another five in fall.