About Nijo Castle
Why Book Nijo Castle Tour?
- A tour of Nijo Castle gives you full access to roam about the castle and take in all its marvelous beauty.
- Explore rich Japanese history and culture with a guided tour that will walk you through all the significant locations and teach you about their influence in the modern world.
- Walk through the castle and catch a glimpse of where the royal shoguns of Japan once resided.
- Be prepared to be awed by the cultural treasures of the Japanese consisting of gold-decorated walls and ancient Japanese murals.
- Soak in the stunning lush greenery and colorful flower beds of the castle grounds.
- Booking a Nijo Castle tour will give you a private guided tour with access to parts of the castle that are closed to the general public.
- It is a great way to enrich your knowledge about the historic, artistic, and cultural significance of the Japanese feudal era.
- A Nijo Castle tour is a perfect activity for families, friends, and solo travelers to indulge in.
Available Nijo Castle Tour Options
Enjoy a day excursion to the Imperial and Nijo Castle with a guided walking tour. Visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace which served as a former residence of Japan’s Emperor for 500 years. The guide will walk you through the history and significance of the Imperial Palace as you stroll around the property. Once the Imperial Palace tour comes to an end, the guide will take you through the Takamachi area where you will come across local shops and a mix of traditional Japanese homes and modern buildings. After a brief 15-minute walk you will begin the Nijo Castle tour where you can explore the Honmaru and Ninomaru Palace. As the Nijo Castle tour comes to an end, you will have plenty of time left to spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
The guided walking tour of Nijo Castle and Yasaka Shrine is the perfect way to spend your day in Kyoto like a local. The tour starts with Nijo Castle where you will get to explore the gorgeous palaces and well-manicured gardens. Next, you will visit the Kyoto downtown market area with a brief subway ride to Korasuma Oike station. Treat your tastebuds to some local Japanese treats including seafood, Takoyaki, ice-creams, Japanese pickles, etc. As you move towards the Yasaka Shrine, you will come across Ponto street, famous for cafes and restaurants, and the Gion neighborhood. The guide will brief you about the Yasaka Shrine’s history and you can have a spiritual tour as well.
For people who are only interested in Nijo Castle's history, this immersive guide is your best pick. Nijo Castle’s architecture is considered one of the best representations of the feudal era’s architecture. The castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1994 and is also among the 17 historic monuments of Ancient Kyoto. You will get an immersive experience with a guided tour of the castle as you walk through the historical site. You will be frequently greeted by awe-inspiring details and eye-pleasing greenery all around. Soak in the historic and artistic beauty of the Nijo Castle with your friends and family as the guide narrates the legendary stories of the palace.
The bus tour of Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo Castle, and Ryoanji Temple will drive you through the most popular tourist attractions of the city. Start your tour on a peaceful note at the Ryoanji Temple, which is also a world heritage site. As you enjoy your tranquil walks through the temple’s landscapes, get ready to be swept away by the beauty of the Nijo Castle. Explore all the nooks and crannies of the Nijo Castle while soaking in its historic richness. Fill your tummies with some hearty Japanese meal at the traditional merchant house called Kyochomachiya. End your tour by offering a heartfelt prayer at the Kiyomizu Temple.
A half-day tour of the Nijo Castle and Ryoanji Temple is one of the best tours to opt from. Make your day trip to Kyoto count with a half-day trip to the two most popular tourist attractions. The Nijo Castle is divided into three sections comprising Ninomaru Palace, Honmaru Palace, and the vast palace gardens. Marvel at the stunning beauty of the architecture of Japan’s feudal era at the Nijo Castle. Get a glimpse of dry landscape gardening at the Ryoanji Temple as you immerse in a quiet retreat. The Ryoanji Temple will offer you a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Soak in the breathtaking views of the Kyoto Toji Temple with gleaming cherry blossoms in the background. The cherry blossoms, or ‘sakura’ as most commonly known in Kyoto, are gorgeous flower trees that embrace the city with their magnetic beauty. The Toji Temple houses a 130-year-old cherry blossom tree known as Fuji-Zakura which is a spectacular sight to behold during the nighttime. While Nijo Castle looks majestic during the day, the night tour adds a magical touch to the palace altogether. The pathways are lit colorfully, which adds to the royalness of the palace along with the several cherry blossoms and plum orchards illuminated with the castle lights in the background.
Know More About Kyoto Tour
Nijo Castle Tour FAQs
What is the best time to take a Nijo Castle Tour?
The best time for a tour of the Nijo Castle would be to start early in the morning since there is less crowd. You can start the day early and catch the first tour which starts around 10 AM. You will get to enjoy a quiet and peaceful tour of the Nijo Castle as you walk through the castle with your local guide. Apart from the chill ambience, you will also get ample time to explore the rest of the city by finishing the tour early in the day.
Do we need to book in advance for the Nijo Castle Tour?
It is best to book your tickets for the Nijo Castle Tour in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. You will be assigned a guide for the tour and an itinerary once your booking is confirmed. Booking the tickets in advance will also help you and your guide to plan the day ahead which suits your schedule the best.
Will I get discounts on booking a Nijo Castle Tour?
Most websites offer discounts and attractive tour packages on online ticket booking. It is recommended that you do your research before booking your Nijo Castle tour tickets to get the best price.
What is the best time to visit Nijo Castle?
The Nijo Castle is blessed with gorgeous plum orchards that fully bloom during February and March. The months of February, March, and April are most favorable for visits if you wish to catch the stunning plum orchards and cherry blossoms in full bloom. If you visit the castle on a weekday you can avoid the heavy weekend rush as most people prefer sightseeing during that time. Moreover, you get to spend your weekend shopping and exploring the local markets.
Where is Nijo Castle?
Location: 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan.
By Bus: If you wish to travel by bus take routes 9, 5, or 101 from the JR Kyoto Station and deboard at Nijojomae Station, from there it’s a 4-minute walk to the castle.
By Train: For people who prefer subway trains, you can opt for the JR Saline line from Kyoto station to Nijo station with a JR Pass, which is a 15-minute walk away. Or travel to Karasuma-Oike station from Kyoto station, and transfer to the Tozai Line towards Nijojomae station.
What are some other amazing places to visit in Kyoto?
With your Kyoto attraction tickets you can visit some fascinating places like Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto Tower, FuFu No Yu Onsen and many more