Nijo Castle
Tourist attraction
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
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The best of Nijo Castle
Bucket-list experiences
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Kyoto Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Small Group Guided Walking Tour
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Klook Pass Kansai
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£ 28.05
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Kyoto Day Tour with Optional Lunch
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£ 96.49
Kyoto Morning Tour (Round Trip from Kyoto)
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Kyoto Day Tour
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Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Kyoto
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[Michelin one-star Kyoto cuisine] Nijyoujyoufuruta - Kyoto
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Kyoto Kimono and Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto
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Kyoto Railway Museum Ticket
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£ 7.65
Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto by KANWA Yasaka Shrine Branch
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Kyoto Aquarium Admission Ticket
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Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto
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MIMARU KYOTO NIJO CASTLE
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Kyomachiya Nijo Castle Japanese house
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Hiz Hotel Kyoto-Nijo Castle
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Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto - Banyan Group
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KOKO HOTEL Residence Kyoto Nijo Castle
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KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
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TH Kyoto 2 Bedroom Apartment near Nijo Castle
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M’s Hotel Sanjo Omiya
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Homm Stay Nagi Sanjo Kyoto By Banyan Group
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hotel MONday Kyoto Karasuma Nijo
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Toyoko Inn Kyoto Nijojo Minami
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Trouble-free transport
Sagano Romantic Train Ticket
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Randen Pass
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Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass
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Kyoto Private Car Rental with Driver
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Kyoto car rentals | Rent a car for Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu Temple, Golden Temple Kyoto, Osaka International Airport
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Kyoto to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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Kyoto to Shinagawa - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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All that's good & tasty
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Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto
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Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist
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Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion
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Kyo Kurozakura in Kyoto Gion
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SHIGETSU (天龍寺 篩月) in Kyoto Arashiyama - Michelin recommend Shojin Vegetarian Cuisine
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Sopporo Kaniya - Crab Specialty in Kyoto
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Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant
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Kameya Honke (かめや本家) in Omiya - Traditional Tofu & Yuba Kaiseki
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£ 29.19
Mokube in Gion - Michelin Starred Kaiseki
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£ 155.39
Tempura Endo Yasaka (天ぷら八坂圓堂) Tempura in Gion Kyoto
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£ 23.89
Gion Nanba (祇園なん波) in Kyoto Gion - Michelin one Starred Kaiseki
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More to explore
Kyoto Hop-On Hop-off sightseeing bus by Skyhop Bus (1day / 2days ticket)
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Bic Camera Tourist Privilege Discount Coupon in Kyoto
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Old Kyoto Nighttime All-Inclusive Local Food Tour
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Nishiki Market Half Day Morning Walking Food Tour in Kyoto
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£ 42.65
Nishiki Market & Teramachi Street
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£ 132.05
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour
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Kyoto at Night: Food and Culture Tour (3 Hours)
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£ 98.15
Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local
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£ 127.39
Sake and Whisky Tasting in Kyoto (3 Hours)
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£ 212.25
Pontocho Food Tour, Kyoto (3 Hours)
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£ 146.55
Why people love Nijo Castle
Klook User
2 days ago
amazing experience! 10/10 would recommend this tour to everyone. Vincent, our guide, was knowledgeable about the history and was able to answer all questions, all while having a positive and humorous attitude. Just great!
Yuche ***
2 days ago
It's a special experience, we never weared a kimono before, and this experience is definitely different.
2+
cynthia ******
2 days ago
My son was super happy, he even made a drawing and put it on the mural they have at the entrance of the museum. Shopping with Klook is very practical and easy!
Klook 用戶
2 days ago
I hope you can add more itineraries so that it is really convenient to travel. I will consider hotel pick-up and drop-off next time. The weather is very cold these days. It is so comfortable to just get on the bus and sleep at a fixed point😌
1+
adrian ****
2 days ago
Kyoto railway museum is a great place for rail enthusiasts. There are various steama ,diesel and electric locomotives on display and even giant a hobby rail gallery. There's some equipment that you can play with like ticket machine entrance gate and schedule display etc.
2+
LIN *********
2 days ago
There is no private changing space, but each service staff's service is super fast, super perfect😍, and also full of emotional value. Warm packs will be given to you even if the weather is cold. Don’t be afraid to ask for a warm pack, otherwise you will freeze to death.
yan ****
2 days ago
Good for train lovers.so many models of trains there.
Florence ***
2 days ago
A must-book Sagano Scenic Train if you going to Arashiyama. The journey is simply too beautiful and unforgettable. We stopped at terminal Kameoka Station, this end stop has beautiful padi field scenery.😍 Booking on Klook is so hassle-free. Just need to enter with the QR code provided. Truly an unforgettable experience!
2+
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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.