Nijo Castle (Rikyu Nijo-jo)

Moto-rikyu Nijō-jō

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Nijo Castle witnessed the rise and fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. The Ninomaru Palace (National Treasure) and Ninomaru Garden (Special Place of Scenic Beauty) are must-sees.

World Heritage
Castle

HighlightsNinomaru Palace (National Treasure)
Ninomaru Garden (Special Place of Scenic Beauty)
Honmaru Palace (Important Cultural Property)
The Splendid Karamon Gate
'Nightingale Floors' (Uguisu-bari corridors)

Basic Information

Address: 541 Nijojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Search for tourist attractions in Kyoto

Access: A short walk from Nijojo-mae Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line. Show route

Op.Hours: 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 5:00 PM)

Cld.Days: December 29th to 31st

Fee: Castle Entrance Fee: Adults ¥800, Junior/Senior High School Students ¥400, Elementary School Students ¥300 Ninomaru Palace Admission (separate from castle entrance fee): Adults ¥500 Honmaru Palace Admission (separate from castle entrance fee): Adults ¥1000, Junior/Senior High School Students ¥300, Elementary School Students ¥200 Exhibition and Storage Museum Admission (separate from castle entrance fee): Adults ¥100

INFO: Photography is prohibited inside the Ninomaru Palace. Eating and drinking are prohibited within the castle grounds, except in designated areas. Reservations are required to view the Honmaru Palace. The East Bridge will be closed for construction from August 26th to September 26th, 2025.

HP: https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/

Overview

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu as a residence for the shogun during his visits to Kyoto and to protect the Kyoto Imperial Palace. During the reign of the third shogun, Iemitsu, the castle underwent significant renovations in preparation for Emperor Gomizuno-o's visit. The Ninomaru Palace was adorned with numerous screen paintings by Kano Tanyu, solidifying the Edo shogunate's dominance by welcoming the emperor to the magnificent castle. In 1867, the 15th shogun, Yoshinobu, declared his intention to return power to the emperor ('Taisei Hokan') in the Ninomaru Palace. Even after approximately 400 years, visitors can still witness the splendid remnants of Momoyama culture in the Ninomaru Palace, Ninomaru Garden, and Karamon Gate. The Honmaru Palace completed its major repairs at the end of March 2024 and has reopened to the public for the first time in 18 years. To protect the original paintings, rooms in the O-Goten are opened at different times. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nijo Castle stands as a valuable historical asset, bearing witness to the rise and fall of the Tokugawa family and the long history of Japan.

Nijo Castle (Rikyu Nijo-jo)

Highlights

Basic Information

Overview

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