Your Guide to Nijo Castle in Kyoto: Historical Facts, Architecture, Seasonal Highlights, and Nearby Restaurants

Get to know Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle, located in Kyoto's central Nakagyo ward, is not just a renowned spot for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage; it also stands witness to significant turning points in Japan's history.

Keep reading for a brief overview of Nijo Castle's historical significance, along with essentials such as its architectural highlights, access information, and best ways to get there.

History of Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle was built by the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, between 1601 and 1626. The castle was built to protect the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and it served as the residence for the Tokugawa shoguns when they visited Kyoto. Recognized for its historical significance, it became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994.

The castle's construction aimed to highlight the stability of the Edo Shogunate, with expansions in 1624 for the imperial visit of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Notable structures from this period, like the main tower and imperial audience hall, were later removed, leaving only the Ninomaru Palace we see today.

Nijo Castle played a key role in Japanese history during the Taisei-hokan declaration in 1867, being the site where the 15th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, officially returned political power to Emperor Meiji, marking the end of the shogunate rule and the beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912) of Japan.

Nijo Castle became the imperial villa "Nijo Rikyu." Emperor Taisho hosted banquets within Nijo Castle, adding structures like the southern gate. In 1939, Kyoto City took ownership, opened its doors to the public and renamed it "Kyoto Gyoen Nijo-jo" in 1940.

Opening hours and admission

Nijo Castle is open for visitors from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the castle closing at 5:00 p.m.

The combined ticket for both Nijo Castle and the Ninomaru Palace is JPY 1,300 for adults, JPY 400 for high school students, and JPY 300 for elementary school students.

If you only wish to explore Nijo Castle without visiting the Ninomaru Palace, the admission fee is JPY 800 for adults, JPY 400 for high school and JPY 300 for elementary school students.

Tickets can be purchased on-site at the ticket counter or conveniently booked online (in Japanese only) as electronic tickets. With the latter option, simply show the QR code on your mobile phone upon arrival and skip the queue.

Nijo Castle
Address: 541 Nijo-jo-cho, Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nijo-jo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Official website: https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en

Architectural highlights of Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle not only holds historical significance but also preserves valuable architectural styles from the early Edo period (1603-1868.) It boasts National Treasures like the Ninomaru Palace and other important cultural assets like the Chinese-style Karamon gates and painted fusuma sliding doors within the palace.

Ninomaru Palace: A National Treasure of Japan

The Ninomaru Palace in Nijo Castle, designated as a National Treasure, exemplifies the shoin-zukuri architectural style from the early Edo period. It is the sole surviving palace among renowned castles in Japan, such as Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle.

Noteworthy features include the Sannoma Room with intricately carved lattice windows made from hinoki cypress wood. The Ichinoma Room (upper chamber) and Ninoma Room (lower chamber) are chambers where the shogun formally met with lords and courtiers, and it was in these rooms that Tokugawa Yoshinobu transferred power back to the Meiji Emperor.

As the shogun's residence, the corridors were also reinforced with nightingale floors, which were special floorboards that made loud chirping sounds when stepped on to ward off intruders.

Visit the Honmaru Goten Palace

The Honmaru Goten Palace is a rare, well-preserved example of Edo-period domestic architecture. Recognized as an Important Cultural Property, it offers a glimpse into the living quarters of the Imperial Family. Later, the palace also served as an important imperial villa, hosting Emperor Taisho on nearly ten occasions when he was a prince.

Comprising four buildings—Genkan, Goshoin, Otsune-goten, and Daidokoro and Kari-no-ma—the palace holds historical significance for its unique design.

*Note that the palace is currently closed for renovation and is set to reopen in 2024.

Traditional gardens around Nijo Castle

In addition to the invaluable historical structures such as the Ninomaru Palace and the Honmaru Palace, Nijo Castle features graceful and scenic gardens. Particularly noteworthy is the captivating Ninomaru Garden, which was officially recognized as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1953.

The current appearance of the Honmaru Garden dates back to 1895 when Emperor Meiji ordered its transformation, influenced by Western garden styles, featuring grassy areas and winding pathways.

Seiryu-en Garden beautifully blends Western and Japanese styles, with half covered in grass and the other featuring a pond and traditional Japanese decorations.

Completed in 1965, it houses two tea houses—Waraku-an is open to the public for tea ceremonies and relaxation, while Koyun-tei is available during specific periods for meals and as a venue for weddings.

The four seasons at Nijo Castle

In Japan, each season brings its own unique beauty, and Nijo Castle is no exception. Aside from being a renowned spot for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage in Kyoto, the changing seasons bring a variety of flowers, plants, and trees during summer and winter.

Spring: View cherry blossoms and azaleas at the Nijo Castle Sakura Festival

Nijo Castle is home to around 300 cherry blossom trees, featuring diverse varieties like kanhi-zakura, somei-yoshino, yama-zakura, and shidare-zakura. Blooming from late March to mid-April, these cherry blossoms create a picturesque scene alongside the castle's pristine white walls.

The annual Nijo Castle Sakura Festival during this period offers nighttime illuminations, light projections, and performances.

In addition to cherry blossoms, the western part of Nijo Castle showcases Kurume Azaleas, blooming from late April to early May after the weeping cherry blossoms fall. The castle's gardens also feature large purple Azaleas, extending the vibrant colors of spring.

Summer: Marvel at the Weeping Pagoda Tree

In the summer at Nijo Castle, the landscape is adorned with lush greenery, and from late July onwards, visitors can delight in the beauty of the Shidare-enge, or Weeping Pagoda Tree, crepe myrtles, and morning glories.

The Shidare-enge, a variant of the pagoda tree with gracefully cascading branches, is believed to bring good omens. Additionally, the vibrant crepe myrtles in the Seiryu-en Garden and near the east side of the main keep bloom from July to September, adding vivid red hues to the summer scenery.

Autumn: Walk along a carpet of maple and ginkgo leaves

From mid-November to early December, the castle’s maple and ginkgo trees turn yellow and red.

This creates a splendid and colorful carpet of foliage at Nijo Castle. If you happen to visit Kyoto in the fall, it's highly recommended to experience the serene atmosphere of the autumn leaves here.

Winter: Take in views of blooming camellias and plum trees in the snow

Visit between December and mid-April to witness 400 blooming camellia trees of 90 varieties, which have been planted since 1953. The Plum Grove in the southwestern part of the castle showcases around 100 trees blooming from mid-February to late March.

Winter at Nijo Castle includes the unique sight of Sotetsu trees being cared for with protective measures, wrapping them with straw from late November to early December.

Additionally, the winter snowscape at Nijo Castle presents a rare and enchanting scene, making it a memorable highlight for visitors during the snowy season in Kyoto.

Best restaurants around Nijo Castle

Read on for the best restaurants in the area to visit after a tour of Nijo Castle.

Karasemitei: Savor crispy tonkatsu pork cutlet

Just a ten-minute walk from Nijo Castle, Karasemitei is a specialized tonkatsu pork cutlet restaurant that prepares its pork cutlets by utilizing a special aging technique and by keeping cooking temperatures low.

The restaurant is set inside a charming Japanese-style wooden structure, featuring a nostalgic townhouse vibe. Enjoy the juicy chunks of aged pork cutlets, best paired with the restaurant's homemade vegetable sauce.

Karasemitei
Address: 1F, 600 Ukita-cho, Omiya Nishi-iru, Shimodachiuri-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 20-min walk from JR Nijo Station (San'in Main Line or Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line)
Official website: https://www.instagram.com/karasemitei/ (Instagram)

Shinrin Syokudo: Taste delectable curry in a forest atmosphere

Shinrin Syokudo's entrance is adorned with lush greenery, while its interior sees lush planters and dried flower decorations, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

The menu offers a variety of delicious curry dishes, including oyster, spinach, Indian-style chicken curry, as well as a black-colored squid ink curry, making it a must-visit for curry lovers.

Shinrin Syokudo
Address: 24-4 Uchihata-cho, Nishinokyo, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from JR Nijo Station (San'in Main Line or Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line)
Official website: https://shinrin-syokudo.com (in Japanese only)

Le Petit Mec, Oike Branch: Enjoy authentic French pastries

Le Petit Mec is an authentic French bakery known for its chic Parisian atmosphere and stylish black decor. The menu extends beyond traditional bread offerings, featuring toasted sandwiches, submarine sandwiches, burgers, savory pies, and more.

For those on a tight schedule or preferring takeout, their assortment of European bread provides a convenient and delicious option to eat on the go or as breakfast for the next day.

Le Petit Mec, Oike Branch
Address: 1F, 186 Shimomyokakuji-cho, Toromonotana-dori Agaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Karasuma Oike Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai, Karasuma lines)
Official website: https://lepetitmec.com/ (in Japanese only)

Nijo Castle: Access information

Nijo Castle is easily accessible from Kyoto Station, and you can reach it in under an hour by either train or bus. Keep reading for the best transportation options to Nijo Castle.

By bus

Kyoto Station → Kyoto Station City Bus Stop → (City Bus routes 9, 50, or 101) → Get off at Nijojo-mae Stop → Nijo Castle (Time required: 25 mins)

By train

JR Kyoto Station→ (JR Sagano Line bound for Saga-Arashiyama) → JR Nijo Station → Nijo Castle (Time required: 25 mins)

Opt for the Kansai Area Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on all JR West Lines and shinkansen in the Kansai Region, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It includes a one-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.

Discover Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle offers multiple ways to immerse yourself in its charm, from exploring its historical architecture to enjoying the seasonal natural beauty within the castle grounds. With its accessible transportation options, Nijo Castle is a convenient destination to include in your Kyoto sightseeing itinerary, especially if you are also planning to visit iconic sites like Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, and Ginkakuji Temple.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

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*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

Kansai Area Pass (1-4 days)

・Unlimited rides on JR trains, limited express "Haruka" and West Japan JR buses in Kansai.
・Includes a 1-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.