Nijo Castle

Tourist attraction
★ 4.9 (26K+ reviews) • 377K+ booked
Nijo Castle is a famous castle in Kyoto, Japan, that used to be home to the Tokugawa shoguns. It was built in the early 1600s by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. One of the best parts to see inside is the Ninomaru Palace, known for its beautiful wall paintings and "nightingale floors" that make chirping sounds when you walk on them to warn guards of intruders. But there's more! When you visit Nijo Castle, make sure to check out the Ninomaru Garden. It's a gorgeous garden with a big pond and carefully arranged rocks. The Honmaru Palace and the rest of the castle grounds are also fascinating, giving you a peek into the grand life of feudal Japan. Surrounding the castle is a wide moat and huge stone walls, which make it look even more impressive. There are also two traditional tea houses where you can enjoy a real Japanese tea ceremony. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle hosts various cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year. Visiting this Japanese castle offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and learn about an important part of Japan's history.
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541 Nijōjōchō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan

The best of Nijo Castle

Bucket-list experiences

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Kyoto Day Tour with Optional Lunch

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[Michelin one-star Kyoto cuisine] Nijyoujyoufuruta - Kyoto

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Kimono Rental Experience by Wakana Kimono in Kyoto

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Make it a getaway

MIMARU KYOTO NIJO CASTLE

MIMARU KYOTO NIJO CASTLE

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From HK$ 1,522
Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (50)
From HK$ 4,070.1
KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
From HK$ 570.7
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Kyomachiya Nijo Castle Japanese house

Kyomachiya Nijo Castle Japanese house

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★ 4.0
From HK$ 1,335.3
Hiz Hotel Kyoto-Nijo Castle

Hiz Hotel Kyoto-Nijo Castle

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Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto - Banyan Group
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TH Kyoto 2 Bedroom Apartment near Nijo Castle
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Homm Stay Nagi Sanjo Kyoto By Banyan Group

Homm Stay Nagi Sanjo Kyoto By Banyan Group

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M’s Hotel Sanjo Omiya

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La'gent Hotel Kyoto Nijo

La'gent Hotel Kyoto Nijo

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The Royal Park Canvas Kyoto Nijo

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Trouble-free transport

Sagano Romantic Train Ticket

Sagano Romantic Train Ticket

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★ 4.5 (3,065)
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Randen Pass

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Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass

Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass

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Kyoto Private Car Rental with Driver

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★ 4.5 (61)
From HK$ 2,218
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Kyoto to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

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HK$ 682
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All that's good & tasty

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Why people love Nijo Castle

4.9 /5
26K+ reviews
Read all reviews
Rini **********
8 Dec
no need to queue to buy tickets. and just come according to schedule
HUANG ******
8 Dec
The light sculpture show at night is a different visual experience and enjoyment. You can also enjoy the night maples at the same time, which is a double enjoyment. Great.
1+
Siwaporn *******
8 Dec
No need to exchange tickets, just walk to the entrance. Very convenient. Inside, there are food and drinks for sale. You can sit and eat amidst the lights and sounds. It's not far to walk along the path. If you just walk and take pictures, it will take about 1 hour.
2+
Jun *********
8 Dec
What an experience! It is refreshing to visit and see the castle during night time with the illumination since most attractions are done during the day. There are also food vendors along the way where you can get some snacks and drinks.
CHANG ******
8 Dec
I accidentally saw it on the road. It turned out that the event ended on the 8th. I decided to go there at the last minute, so I went to Klook to buy tickets! Overall, it's okay. I think the previous Osaka Castle looked better, but this one has food stalls.
2+
Klook User
8 Dec
Alex was a very nice and gentle person. He didn't only gave us a good tour, but he also gave us suggestions on everything we asked him about. Even though he is not Muslim himself, but he still respected our religion and gave us help finding food that fits our requirements.
Klook User
8 Dec
our guide Lily was very accommodating and answered all our inquiries. She was also able to give a concise but detailed history of the sites we visited. Definitely recommend!
Người dùng Klook
8 Dec
great, service quality ok, hairdressing is also great, can choose the quantity you like,,,,,,
1+

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FAQs about Nijo Castle

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Must-Visit Areas in Nijo Castle

Ninomaru Palace

Ninomaru Palace is the main highlight of Nijo Castle. This amazing building was where the Tokugawa shoguns lived and worked when they came to Kyoto. You should try the nightingale floors, which chirp like birds when walked on to warn of intruders or look out for its beautifully preserved wall paintings.

Ninomaru Garden

Next to Ninomaru Palace, you'll find the peaceful Ninomaru Garden. This beautiful garden has carefully placed pine trees, rocks, and a big pond. It was designed by the well-known landscape artist Kobori Enshu. As the seasons change, the garden shows off different colors and views, making it a great place to visit any time of the year.   #### Honmaru Palace

Honmaru Palace isn't always open for visits, but it's really exciting when you can go inside. The palace sits in the middle of the castle where the second layer of defense was. It has lots of old buildings to check out and beautiful sights to see.

Two Tea Houses

There are a few traditional tea houses at Nijo Castle where you can join a Japanese tea ceremony. These tea houses provide a calm place to enjoy Japanese culture up close. Drinking matcha tea while soaking in the castle's history is a must-do experience in Kyoto!

Things to Do in Nijo Jo Kyoto

Explore the Castle Grounds

Take your time to walk through the castle grounds of Nijo Castle. You'll see beautiful architecture, lush gardens, and historical artifacts. The pathways are lined with cherry trees, making it a particularly stunning visit during cherry blossom season.

Join a Guided Tour

Make your visit to Nijo Castle even better by joining a guided tour! Friendly guides will tell you cool stories about the Tokugawa shogunate, how the castle was built, and why it's important in Japan's history.

Attend Cultural Events

Throughout the year, Nijo Castle hosts various cultural events, including traditional music performances, historical reenactments, and seasonal festivals. These events are a great way to learn about Kyoto's culture and history. Make sure to check the Nijo Castle hours and event schedule so you can visit when these special activities are happening.