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Kyoto Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is the largest and most known castle in Kyoto. The castle is a popular sightseeing spot and is especially more popular among those that are interested in Japanese history. The main fortification and attraction of the castle is called the Ninomaru Palace and the second fortification is the ruins of the Honmaru Palace. The castle itself is surrounded by stone walls and moats.

What to See in Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 and the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. The castle was built to purposely overlook the Imperial Palace to show how much power the shogun had. The castle was never attacked and rarely used after the 1600s even with the high wall, watchtowers, and double moats that were added for protection. An interesting detail of the interior of the castle is the floor, also known as nightingale floors. Its purpose was to serve as a security system in giving off sound alerting any unwelcomed visitors. In addition to the castle, the grounds are large and have gardens surrounding the area.

On the grounds of the Nijo Castle, it is surrounded by greenery and walking paths with hundreds of trees and plum orchards that bloom in late February and early March. The cherry blossom season with cherry trees can be seen during the spring season. During the fall, numerous maple and gingko trees that add more color to the fall foliage. The Nijo Castle can be visited year-round and is a must-see spot to visit. The entrance fee is 600 yen and there is an additional fee of 400 yen to enter the Nimomaru Palace.

Opening Hours: 8:45 to 17:00 (October to June); 8:00 to 18:00 (July and August); 8:00 to 17:00 (September)
Closed on December 29-31; just the Ninomaru Palace is also closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August and December (or following day if Tuesday is a national holiday) and December 26-28
Entrance Ticket: 620 yen; an additional fee of 410 yen is required to enter the Ninomaru Palace
Address: 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301
Duration: 2-3 hours

Nijo Castle Tours

As a reliable Japan tour operator, we provide private tours and private limousine/car service to Nijo Castle for travelers. Whether you are looking for a short Nijo Castle tour or a private chauffeur, you can easily find the most suitable one at an affordable price. Contact our representatives to book our Japan small group tours and Kyoto Private Chauffeurs.