Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is an important monument located in central Kyoto. It was built in 1603 as the residence of the first shogun of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Book a hotel in central Kyoto

Although the castle has been destroyed by fire several times, most of Ninomaru has always been reconstructed to its original 17th century appearance.

Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces

The Nijo Castle complex consists of three main areas.

Ninomaru - the offices of the shogun during his visits to Kyoto, the great palace lies within the outer perimeter of the walls and is open to the public without the need for prior reservation.
Honmaru - the private residence of the shogun and his family lies within the inner perimeter of the walls and is open to the public by reservation only. The Honmaru complex was completely destroyed and rebuilt in the 19th century, but in a significantly different form.
The gardens - between the palace and the walls are beautiful gardens that are freely accessible.

No photographs are allowed inside the Ninomaru and Honmaru palaces.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle Gardens

Entrance fees and opening hours

Nijo Castle has only one entrance and exit on its southeast side (see map). All other entrances and exits are closed to the public.

It is open every day from 8:45-17:00. However, the last entry is possible at 16:00.

Ticket prices are as follows:

800 jpy - entrance to the castle (outdoor areas only)
1 300 jpy - Entrance to the castle + interior of Ninomaru Palace

These tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at the entrance with a card or cash.

You must book the entrance to Honmaru Palace in advance for additional 1 000 jpy on the official website: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp

Official website: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp

How to get there

Nijo-jo is located in the middle of Kyoto and is easily accessible by public transportation.

The subway - Nijojo-mae station about 100 meters from the entrance
- Red Line to Kyoto Station (transfer to Green Line required)
Buses - Nijojo-mae stop directly in front of the entrance
- Line 9 - direction Kyoto Station, Jinkoin Temple
- Line 12 - direction Kinkakuji, Gion, Kawaramachi
- Line 50 - direction Kyoto Station, Ryoanji Temple
Buses - Horikawa Marutamachi stop about 350 metres from the entrance in a northerly direction
- Line 10 - direction Kawaramachi, Ninnaji Temple
- Line 93 - direction Arashiyama (Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji Temple and others), Higashi Tennocho (eastern part of the city)
- Line 202 - direction Gion, Kiyomizu-dera
- Line 204 - direction Kinkakuji, Higashi Tennocho (eastern part of the city), Ginkakuji