Nijo Castle

Castle

Part of Kyoto

Prefecture

Kyoto

Type

Castle

N/A

1 review

English Staff Train Access Cafe

About This Destination

UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle. The floors squeak when you walk— designed as a security alarm. Kano school paintings inside.

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. The castle is famous for its Ninomaru Palace, which features elaborate wall paintings by the Kano school and 'nightingale floors' that chirp when walked upon as a security measure. The Ninomaru Garden is a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle stands as one of the best examples of castle palace architecture from the Edo period.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: Kyoto, Japan

Nearest Station: Nijojo-mae

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Accepted

Food Options: Tea room and cafe within castle grounds; restaurants along Horikawa-dori

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Nijo Castle from Kyoto Station?

Take the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma-Oike (4 minutes), transfer to the Tozai Line, and get off at Nijojo-mae Station (one stop, about 2 minutes — total 15 minutes including transfer, 260 yen). The castle entrance is a 3-minute walk from the station's exit 2.

What are the opening hours and admission fees for Nijo Castle?

Nijo Castle is open 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM). It is closed Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December (closed Wednesday if Tuesday is a holiday) and December 29–31. Adult admission is 1,300 yen, which includes entry to Ninomaru Palace and the gardens. Audio guides in 6 languages are 600 yen extra. Cash and credit cards accepted.

What is the best time to visit Nijo Castle?

Spring (late March to early April) is magical when over 300 cherry trees bloom across the castle grounds, with evening illumination during the cherry blossom festival. Autumn foliage in mid-November is also beautiful, also with evening illuminations. Avoid Golden Week and mid-August for smaller crowds. Early morning (right at the 8:45 opening) gives the quietest experience year-round.

What's special about the 'nightingale floor' in Nijo Castle?

The wooden corridors of Ninomaru Palace are designed so that nails rub against metal clamps under the boards as you walk, producing a high-pitched chirping sound that resembles a Japanese bush warbler. Originally a security measure to alert against intruders, it was effectively impossible to walk silently. You can experience the sound yourself by walking through the corridor — it remains one of the castle's most memorable features.