Travel in Kyoto

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle · Nijo-jo Castle · 元離宮二条城

Explore a shogun's palace at Nijo Castle. See wall paintings and carved decorations in Ninomaru, then walk the gardens outside.

Official sources 2026-10-09Official sources 2026-10-09Nijo Castle official access map 2026-10-08

Visitor information

Address

〒604-8301 京都市中京区二条通堀川西入二条城町541

541 Nijo-jo-cho, Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nijo-jo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 604-8301

Location on the map

Address source 2026-10-09Address source 2026-10-09

Admission

Individual basic admission: adults 800 yen, junior/senior high school pupils 400 yen, elementary pupils 300 yen, younger children free. Adult Ninomaru-inclusive admission is 1,300 yen. Honmaru costs adults 1,000 yen separately from castle admission and needs advance booking. Painting Gallery admission is also separate.

Admission source 2026-10-09

Opening hours

Nijo Castle opens 08:45–17:00, last entry 16:00. Ninomaru admission runs 08:45–16:10; Honmaru opens 09:30–16:00.

Opening-hours source 2026-10-09

What to see at Nijo Castle

Ninomaru wall paintings and carved decorations

See wall paintings and carved decorations inside Ninomaru. Buy a ticket including the palace for interior viewing.

Ninomaru wall paintings, carvings and gardens 2026-10-09Nijo Castle prices 2026-10-08

Garden walks after palace viewing

After seeing the palace decorations inside, walk the gardens to enjoy the buildings from outside too.

Ninomaru wall paintings, carvings and gardens 2026-10-09

How to get to Nijo Castle

From Kyoto Station, take Karasuma subway and change at Karasuma Oike to Tozai. Get off at Nijojo-mae, use exit 1 and walk towards the castle. Buy tickets beside the east main gate. Check date-specific trains/fares separately.

Nijo Castle official access map 2026-10-08Kyoto City Transportation Bureau: Nijojo-mae exits and area map 2026-10-08

Get directions

Before you visit

Enter the castle before Ninomaru admission closes

Ninomaru admission ends at 16:10, but castle entry closes at 16:00. Do not arrive late relying only on the palace deadline.

Nijo Castle hours and closures 2026-10-08

Castle and palace closures differ

Nijo Castle closes 29–31 December. Ninomaru closes Tuesdays in January, July, August and December, or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday, plus 26 December–3 January. Honmaru closes the third Monday each month and following day, except public holidays, plus 26 December–3 January.

Nijo Castle hours and closures 2026-10-08

Avoid Ninomaru-inclusive tickets on palace-closure days

You cannot view Ninomaru inside when it closes. Check open areas for your date and buy the appropriate ticket.

Nijo Castle prices 2026-10-08Nijo Castle hours and closures 2026-10-08

Questions about Nijo Castle

Does Ninomaru-inclusive admission also cover Honmaru?

No. Honmaru needs a separate ticket and advance date/time reservation; a Ninomaru-inclusive ticket does not admit you there.