Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)

What's On

Now

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Pine Trees and Cranes (Shokaku-zu): Sugito-e at the Honmaru-goten Palace

Painted cedar doors of pines and cranes by a Tsurusawa School artist (1800), from the Goshoin's western corridor, one of the palace's 14 door sets shown one at a time.

Now showing21 Oct – 14 Mar 2027¥1,000

A Magnificent Banquet Setting: Ichi-no-ma and Ni-no-ma (First and Second Rooms) of the Kuroshoin

Original murals from the Kuroshoin, where the shogunate feasted the imperial court in 1626: cherry blossoms and pheasants in full spring colour beneath ink landscapes of ancient China.

Upcoming19 Nov – 17 Jan 2027¥100

Permanent Collections

Ninomaru Garden

A Special Place of Scenic Beauty: pond garden beside the Ohiroma, reworked for the 1626 imperial visit with Kobori Enshu among its builders, its islands representing Horai.

Permanent collection¥800

Ninomaru-goten Palace

National Treasure: six linked shoin-style halls where shoguns received lords, with Kano School tigers and pines on gold, carved transoms and floors that chirp like nightingales.

Permanent collection¥1,300

Honmaru-goten Palace

An imperial Katsura-no-miya residence moved here in 1893-94, reopened in 2024 after 18 years: late-Edo court paintings like Kano Eigaku's pines and cranes. Timed reservation only.

Permanent collection¥1,000

Nearby

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Kyoto International Manga Museum

Art13 min walk

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Raku Museum

Art16 min walk

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The Museum of Kyoto

Architecture17 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) cost?

Standard adult admission to Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is ¥800. Castle grounds 800 yen (junior/senior high 400, elementary 300, preschool free). Grounds + Ninomaru-goten Palace 1,300 yen. Honmaru-goten Palace 1,000 yen extra, advance timed web ticket required. Painting Gallery 100 yen extra. Kyoto City subway/bus day-pass holders get 100 yen off the grounds ticket.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)?

Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is open Daily 8:45-17:00, last admission 16:00 (Ninomaru-goten Palace last entry 16:10; Honmaru-goten Palace reception 9:30-16:00, reservation only). Castle closed 29-31 December. Ninomaru-goten Palace closed every Tuesday in January, July, August and December (next day if a holiday), 26-28 December and 1-3 January. Honmaru-goten Palace closed the third Monday of each month and the following day (open if a holiday), 26-28 December and 1-3 January. On 6 December 2026 last admission is 12:00 (Kan'ei Imperial Visit 400th anniversary procession).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)?

Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is located at 541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8301, Japan, in the Nijo area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Nijojo-mae (Tozai Line), 3 min walk and Nijo (JR Sagano Line / Tozai Line), 15 min walk.

What can I see at Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)?

The Tokugawa shoguns' Kyoto seat: nightingale floors, gold-leaf Kano tigers and pines, moats, gates and gardens Current highlights include Pine Trees and Cranes (Shokaku-zu): Sugito-e at the Honmaru-goten Palace, Ninomaru Garden and A Magnificent Banquet Setting: Ichi-no-ma and Ni-no-ma (First and Second Rooms) of the Kuroshoin.

Do I need to book Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.