Nijo Castle: Tickets and Tours

Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 17th century. It was built by the Japanese shogun, who were military leaders that ruled over Japan for many periods of its history.

On a Nijo Castle tour, you can explore the last stronghold of the shogun, as this is where they formally handed over power to the Japanese emperor in the late 19th century. Be sure to check out the "singing" floors designed to alert the shogun of any intruders.

Here's all you need to know about Nijo Castle, one of the most historic attractions in Kyoto.

How much do Nijo Castle tickets cost?

The price of Nijo Castle tickets depends on your age and if you only visit Nijo Castle or would also like to include the Ninomaru-goten Palace, which is located in the same complex.

Nijo Castle Tickets

• Adult: 800 yen (US$6)

Nijo Castle and Ninomaru-goten Palace Tickets

• Adult: 1,300 yen (US$10)
• Junior high and high school students: 400 yen (US$3)
• Primary school students: 300 yen (US$2)

You can either buy your tickets on-site or online in advance. If you book ahead of time, you can skip the line at the ticket booth and enter directly with the QR code downloaded to your phone.

Who is eligible for discounts?

Discounted tickets to Nijo Castle are available to visitors who are still in grade school, as listed above. Children who haven't started school yet (under 6 years old) can visit Nijo Castle for free.

Tickets to Nijo Castle and Ninomaru-goten Palace are reduced by 200 yen (US$1.50) per person for groups of 30 adults or more.

If you have a valid 1-day subway or bus pass, you can get a small discount of 100 yen (US$1) on Nijo Castle tickets (but not on the ticket with Ninomaru-goten Palace).

Should you book in advance?

Booking your Nijo Castle tickets is a good idea to avoid waiting in line at the ticket booth. With the purchase of an e-ticket, you can walk right into Nijo Castle simply by presenting the QR code downloaded to your phone.

What are the best combined tours of Nijo Castle and other attractions?

Most tours of Nijo Castle include visits to other popular attractions in Kyoto, including the Golden Pavilion, the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Some tours also include a sightseeing tour around the Gion District to see the geishas or a food tour at Nishiki Market to try some typical Kyoto snacks.

Half-day tour of Nijo Castle and the Golden Pavilion

Spend the entire morning or afternoon exploring two of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage sites — Nijo Castle and the Golden Pavilion.

First, you will visit Nijo Castle, which was the final stronghold of the Japanese shoguns and was contstructed in the 17th century. Then, you'll move on to the Kinkaku-ji Temple, whose Golden Pavilion dates back to the 14th century.

This is an all-inclusive private tour that offers hotel pickup and drop-off and includes the admission fee to both attractions. Please note that since this is a private tour, the booking is per group rather than per person.

Half-day tour of Nijo Castle plus Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion and Nishiki Market

This Nijo Castle tour is perfect if you want to pack in as many sites as possible in a single morning. Besides the castle, you'll also stop at the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine before heading to Gion and the Nishiki Market.

Gion is known for the geishas who live and work there. It's the perfect place to experience a tea ceremony and try the matcha tea. Once you've build up an appetite, you can try all different types of local foods at the Nishiki Market.

As this is a private tour, you can truly customize your experience and let your guide know which aspects of the tour you're most interested in and adjust for any dietary restrictions you may have.

Half-day tour of Nijo Castle plus Kyoto Imperial Palace, Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and Nishiki Market

This is another great tour for those who have limited time in Kyoto and want to pack in as many must-see sites in one morning.

Instead of walking around Gion as in the tour listed above, you can explore the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. This Buddhist temple is the largest wooden building in the world and has enough room to lay out over 900 tatami mats.

Please note that this tour requires a moderate fitness level, as you will need to walk quite a bit around Kyoto at a steady pace to visit all these different sites around Kyoto.

Nijo Castle plus Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nishiki Food Tour

If you're a foodie, this is the Nijo Castle tour for you. Half of this tour is spent sampling food at the Nishiki Market, so you'll be able to spend the next couple of hours burning of all those calories walking around the Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.

At the Nishiki Market, there are over 130 shops along a 400-meter corridor. That's a lot of options! You might have some trouble choosing where and what to eat. This is where your guide can be very helpful by showing you to their favorite spots and most special delicacies — maybe a sea urchin or fried fish cake, for example.

What will you see inside?

Nijo Castle was an important fortification for the Japanese shogun, or military leaders, who ruled Japan at different times up until the late 19th century. This is the site where the last shogun handed over power to the Japanese emperor.

Inside Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace, you can appreciate how the shogun once lived, particularly the elaborate carvings on the walls and gates of the castle and palace.

Entrance Gates and Walls

• Karamon Gate. Admire the ornate details carved onto Karamon Gate, which serves as the entrance to the inner palace grounds.
• Outer walls. Observe the imposing stone walls that surround Nijo Castle, providing protection and privacy for the castle's inhabitants.

Ninomaru Palace

• Reception Halls. Explore the lavishly decorated halls where the shogun received important guests, including the Shikidai-no-ma and the Ohiroma.
• Living Quarters. Step into the shogun's living quarters, featuring tatami mat floors, sliding paper doors and delicate silk paintings.
• Nightingale Floors. Walk on the famous "nightingale" floors, which were designed to "sing" as a security measure, alerting residents to any intruders.

Gardens and Landscapes

• Ninomaru Garden. Stroll through the stunning landscape garden, designed by the famous landscape architect Kobori Enshu, featuring a large pond, stone bridges and meticulously manicured plants.
• Seiryu-en Garden. Wander the serene Seiryu-en Garden, which provides a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese and Western-style garden design.

Art and Decorative Elements

• Fusuma Paintings. Marvel at the exquisite fusuma (sliding door) paintings, depicting nature scenes and created by the renowned Kano School of painters.
• Ceiling Art. Gaze up at the intricate ceiling paintings and carvings that adorn the various halls and living quarters of the castle.

Honmaru Palace and Keep

• Honmaru Palace. Though not open to the public regularly, special occasions allow visitors to glimpse the Honmaru Palace's elegant architecture and design.
• Castle Keep. Visit the remains of the original castle keep, which was destroyed by lightning, and take in panoramic views of the castle grounds from its foundation.

Exhibits and Historical Artifacts

• Castle Exhibits. Learn more about the history of the castle, the shogunate and the Tokugawa clan through exhibits of historical artifacts, including armor, weapons and personal items.

How to get there?

Nijo Castle is located in the center of Kyoto, northwest of the main downtown area. You can easily get there by foot and public transport. Also, it isn't very far from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, so it makes sense to visit both in the same day.

By foot

From Kyoto Imperial Palace, you can get to Nijo Castle on foot in less than 15 minutes, as it's only about a kilometer. The Nishiki Market is twice as far, but still within walking distance for most people.

By train

The easiest and most convenient way to reach Nijo Castle is by train. The castle is just a short walk from two train stations: Nijo and Nijojo-mae station.

• Nijo Station. Served by the JR Sagano Line (also known as JR Sanin Line), Nijo Station is about a 5-minute walk from the castle. If you are coming from Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line towards Sonobe or Fukuchiyama and get off at Nijo Station.
• Nijojo-mae Station. Located on the Tozai Subway Line, Nijojo-mae Station is just a few minutes' walk from the castle's main entrance. If you are coming from the city center, take the Tozai Line towards Uzumasa Tenjingawa and get off at Nijojo-mae Station.

By electric tram

You can also take the Randen tram line to reach Nijo Castle. From Shijo-Omiya Station, take the Randen tram towards Katabiranotsuji or Arashiyama, and alight at Shijo-Omiya Station. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk to the castle.

By bus

From Kyoto Station, take bus number 9, 50 or 101, and get off at the Nijojo-mae bus stop, which is located right in front of the castle entrance.

What are the opening times?

Nijo Castle is open from 8:45 AM to 5 PM every day of the week with last entry at 4 PM. Nijo Castle only closes from December 29 to 31, whereas the Ninomaru-goten Palace is closed from December 26 to 28, January 1 to 3 and every Tuesday in December, January, July and August.

When is the best time to visit Nijo Castle?

The most popular time to visit Nijo Castle is in the spring and autumn to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom or the fall foliage. However, these are also the busiest times to visit. In the winter, there'll be less tourists and the chance to see the castle dusted with snow.

The best time of day to visit Nijo Castle is certainly in the early morning as soon as it opens. This is the best way to avoid crowds that tend to arrive in the hours before and after lunch.

Which other attractions can be visited in Kyoto?

Besides the attractions listed in the tours above, be sure to check out the Fushimi Inari Shrine during your time in Kyoto. Don't miss your chance to walk its pathway up the mountain through the thousands of red torii gates.

Travel tips

• Follow Etiquette Rules. When visiting Nijo Castle, be respectful of the site's cultural and historical significance by following any posted rules, such as removing your shoes before entering the Ninomaru Palace.
• Nearby Attractions. Make the most of your time in Kyoto by visiting other nearby attractions, such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace or Nishiki Market.
• Attend Seasonal Events. Nijo Castle occasionally hosts special events, such as light-up displays during cherry blossom season or cultural performances. Check the official website for any upcoming events during your visit.
• Luggage Storage. If you're carrying a large bag or backpack, take advantage of coin lockers at nearby train stations or the castle entrance to store your belongings during your visit.