Nijo Castle

UNESCO World Heritage

二条城

Nijo-jo Castle was completed in 1603, when the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu first entered it, and it saw the rise and fall of the Tokugawa family. In 1867 the last shogun, Yoshinobu, announced here his intention to return power to the emperor. The Ninomaru-goten Palace, a National Treasure, is the only surviving example of a fortified palace complex and holds over 3,600 wall paintings. Its corridor floorboards make a sound like a nightingale's song when you walk on them. The castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and is known for its cherry blossoms in spring.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: Entry 8:45–16:00; the castle closes at 17:00. Ninomaru Palace: 8:45–16:10. Honmaru Palace: 9:30–16:00 (online reservation required).
Closed: The castle is closed December 29–31. Ninomaru Palace is also closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August and December, December 26–28 and January 1–3.
Admission: Castle grounds: adults 800 yen, junior and senior high 400 yen, elementary 300 yen. Grounds + Ninomaru Palace: adults 1,300 yen. Honmaru Palace: adults 1,000 yen extra (reservation required).
Getting there: Subway Tozai Line: Nijojo-mae Station (from Kyoto Station take the Karasuma Line and change at Karasuma Oike). City Bus 9 or 50 from Kyoto Station. JR Nijo Station is about 17 minutes on foot.
Time needed: Ninomaru Palace and garden: about 1 to 1.5 hours. A full visit takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

A place for prayer is available. Ask at the Nijo Castle Office to use it.
You enter the palace buildings in your socks; take care not to mix up shoes. Socks are required inside Honmaru Palace.
No photos or videos inside the palaces. Photos are allowed outdoors if they do not disturb others.
Eating is allowed only in designated areas; packed lunches only at the main rest area.
The grounds have gravel paths. Electric wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge at the General Information Center (limited number).
Accessible toilets are at the Nishihashi rest area, the Seiryu-en rest area and east of Midori-no-sono.

Tips for Muslim visitors

A place for prayer is available inside the castle (admission ticket required); ask at the Nijo-jo Castle office to use it.
Viewing Ninomaru-goten Palace and its garden takes 1 to 1.5 hours; adding the Honmaru garden and palace takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
Photos and videos are not allowed inside the palaces, and in Honmaru-goten Palace shoes go in a locker and socks must be worn.
You may bring your own lunch and eat it in the main rest area (seats cannot be reserved).
Inside many castle keeps you take off your shoes and climb steep, narrow wooden stairs. Wear socks and clothing that is comfortable for climbing.
Castle grounds are large. Plan a prayer stop before or after your visit at one of the places to pray listed below.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kyoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.