Nijō Castle: A Testament to Shogunate Power
Explore Nijō Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto, and immerse yourself in the history and architecture of Japan's Edo period.
Nijō Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto, Japan, was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. The castle showcases the power and wealth of the shogunate and is divided into the Honmaru (main circle of defense), the Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and surrounding gardens.
A brief summary to Nijō Castle
- 541 Nijojocho, Kyoto, Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, JP
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- Monday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Thursday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Friday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Saturday 8:45 am-5 pm
- Sunday 8:45 am-5 pm
Know before you go
Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Nijō Castle.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking on the castle grounds.
- Visit during cherry blossom season (late March to April) or autumn for stunning views.
- Rent an English audio guide at the entrance for a more in-depth understanding of the castle's history.
- Purchase tickets online to avoid queues.
- Check the official website for special events and seasonal closures.
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Getting There
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Public Transport
The entrance of Nijō Castle is a short walk from Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma-Oike Station and transfer to the Tozai Line to Nijojo-mae Station. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes and costs 260 yen. Alternatively, the castle can be reached from Kyoto Station by Kyoto City Bus numbers 9 or 50 (15-20 minutes, 230 yen one way) or from Shijo-Kawaramachi by Kyoto City Bus number 12 (15 minutes, 230 yen one way).
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Walking
If you are staying in central Kyoto, you might enjoy walking to Nijō Castle as part of your sightseeing adventure. Depending on your location, the walk could be quite pleasant, typically ranging from 20 to 40 minutes. From Nijo Station, it's about a 15-minute walk to the castle entrance.
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Taxi
Taxis are readily available throughout Kyoto and can take you to Nijō Castle from any part of the city. From Kyoto Station, a taxi ride to Nijō Castle takes about 4 minutes and costs approximately 1,900-2,400 yen. This option is more costly but provides convenience and comfort.
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Car
If driving, Nijo-jo Castle has parking lots. Parking Lot 1 (east of the castle) costs 600 yen for 40 minutes, with a maximum of 1800 yen for the same day. During peak seasons (March 10th to April 10th and November), the rate is 700 yen for 40 minutes, with a maximum of 1800 yen for the same day. Parking Lot 3 (south of the castle) costs 1,000 yen for the first two hours, with an additional 200 yen per extra hour. Parking spots for coaches become busy around 9:00, 10:30, and 13:30. To alleviate congestion, coach operators are advised to reserve their parking spaces in advance.
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