Trip Planner: Asia / Japan / Kansai / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto / Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

4.3

#4 of 1,613 in Things to do in Kyoto

Must see · World heritage site · Castle · Landmark

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Originally built in 1603 and holding World Heritage Site status, Nijo Castle presents an exemplary look at Japanese feudal architecture. The castle served as a residence to the first Edo shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the complex contains two concentric circles of moat and wall fortifications, surrounding the central palace and auxiliary buildings. Observe the sound you make as you walk through the corridors connecting various buildings on the "nightingale floors" designed to make noise and warn guards against intruders. PutNijo Castle into our Kyoto road trip site and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.

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Tours to Nijo Castle

FROM $240 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour

5.0

Duration: 2 to 8 hours

Tours from $240 ›

FROM $120 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

5.0

Duration: 6 hours

Tours from $120 ›

FROM $182 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour

4.7

Duration: 7 hours

Tours from $182 ›

FROM $213 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Custom Tour: Kyoto in One Day Private Custom Tour: Kyoto in One Day

4.6

Duration: 4 to 8 hours

Tours from $213 ›

FROM $394 BOOK WITH VIATOR Full Coverage Kyoto Private City Tour Full Coverage Kyoto Private City Tour

5.0

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $394 ›

FROM $340 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons) Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)

5.0

Duration: 6 hours

Tours from $340 ›

FROM $99 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto Private Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized, See the City Unscripted Kyoto Private Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized, See the City Unscripted

4.7

Duration: 4 hours

Tours from $99 ›

FROM $320 BOOK WITH VIATOR Local Style Kyoto Day Trip with an a Native English Speaker in Japan 36 years! Local Style Kyoto Day Trip with an a Native English Speaker in Japan 36 years!

5.0

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $320 ›

FROM $1,024 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Kyoto Custom One Day Tour by Chartered Vehicle Private Kyoto Custom One Day Tour by Chartered Vehicle

4.9

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $1,024 ›

FROM $152 BOOK WITH VIATOR Half Day Tour of Nijo Castle and Golden Pavilion in Kyoto Half Day Tour of Nijo Castle and Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

4.5

Duration: 4 hours

Tours from $152 ›

FROM $800 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private & Custom KYOTO Day Tour by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018 (Max 4 Pax) Private & Custom KYOTO Day Tour by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018 (Max 4 Pax)

4.0

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $800 ›

FROM $96 BOOK WITH VIATOR Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace Visit with Private Guide Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace Visit with Private Guide

4.7

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Tours from $96 ›

Nijo Castle reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

6,995 reviews

Google

4.4

By Zwithapggb

TripAdvisor is wrong about opening hours. Open 845 am to 4pm. No 6 to 10 pm hours. Impressive looking. But long walk for nothing.

TripAdvisor is wrong about opening hours. Open 845 am to 4pm. No 6 to 10 pm hours. Impressive looking. But long walk for nothing. more »
By RoadzLessTraveled

This is an impressive castle, particularly given it is constructed primarily out of timber. Wandering around the castle grounds takes about 40-60 minutes. The main palace is interesting, but to be...

This is an impressive castle, particularly given it is constructed primarily out of timber. Wandering around the castle grounds takes about 40-60 minutes. The main palace is interesting, but to be... more »

See more on TripAdvisor ›

Google

By Simon Laimer

Easy to go, entrance into palaces costs a bit extra. There are restorationworks on the inner palace still in progress. I do not know when they will finish. In 2 hours you have all seen. I entered 3:30pm. Was enough time. The entrance time for palace is till 4pm. At 5pm all door close.

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By Lauren Shannon

Amazing history and restorations! I love all of the painted murals and sliding doors. The garden is also beautiful and everything as well organized there is a lot of information in both English and Japanese, and I recommend trying the audio guide. Stop by the Café and gift shop at the end for some nice rest and refreshment. Be sure to explore the extensive gardens area is even more beautiful during Cherry Blossom time. Sadly you are not allowed to take pictures inside the building but there are some nice postcards you can purchase afterwards to remember some of the beautiful architecture.

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