Nijo-jo Castle is one of Kyoto’s most popular and impressive sights. It shows the power that the Shoguns wielded over the emperors throughout the Edo Period
Nijo castle
With huge stone walls surrounded by deep moats, Nijo-jo Castle graphically demonstrates the power that the Shoguns (military warlords) wielded over Japan for much of its history. Unlike the more famous Himeji-jo Castle in Himeji, which soars skyward, somewhat in the manner of European castles, Nijo-jo Castle is characterized by low but nonetheless imposing and grand structures, all of which are surrounded by gorgeous gardens. You can enter the Ninomaru Palace, which is famous for its “nightingale floors” (squeaky floors that would alert occupants to the presence of intruders). The decorative panels and carvings here – almost rococo in their flamboyance – reflect the enormous power and attitudes of the warlords who occupied the castle. After touring the Ninomaru Palace, take a leisurely stroll through the wonderful Seiryu-en Garden, which surrounds the buildings of the castle. The only downside to this wonderful complex is that it’s on everyone’s “must-see” list, and it’s often packed with hoards bus tourists and Japanese school students out on school excursions. Try to beat the crowds by going just after opening.
English address:
541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori, Horikawa Nishi iru, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区二条通堀川西入二条城町541
Opening hours:
8.45am-5pm, last entry 4pm
Closed Tuesdays in December, January, July, August, and December 26 – January 4
Admission:
Adults: 600
High & junior high school students: 350
Elementary school students: 200
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
5min walk from Nijojo-mae Station, Tozai subway line
Nearest Hotels:
See hotels near to Nijo-jo Castle on Agoda.com
Telephone:
841-0096
Website:
Official website (English)
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Near To Here:
Nijo-jo Castle is located in Central Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Central Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
