Search hotels near Nijo Castle

Nijō Castle is located 2 kilometres from downtown Kyoto, Japan. The castle houses some of the best examples of Japanese art and architecture in the country, and is also home to wonderful gardens which bloom with cherry blossoms during peak season. Nijō Castle is listed as a Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto and has been classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

There is much to see in Nijō Castle, such as ancient fortifications, Ninomaru Palace, Honmaru Palace and several gardens filled with zen pools, plum and cherry blossom trees. One of the main highlights of the castle is the Nightingale Floor. These floors were designed to make a bird like chirping sound when walked upon. It originally served as a security device so that nobody could walk the castle corridors at night undetected. Take a walk to see the castle fortifications, inside the inner walls are remains of the five storey Ninomaru Palace and several gardens that lie between the two main rings. The decorative features of Ninomaru Palace are exquisite and the attention to detail is awe-inspiring with gold leaf etchings, intricate ceiling design, and elaborate wood carvings. Honmaru Palace has four parts, which incorporate the living quarters connected by courtyards and corridors, here visitors will discover paintings and artwork by several famous artists of the Japanese Edo period. In 1928, the enthronement banquet of emperor Hirohito was held in this palace. When all of the palaces and interiors have been explored, take a walk in the gardens and groves of Nijō Castle, as the ponds, landscaped islands, and topiary trees are a sight to behold. Following a castle visit, venture a little further afield and take the train from Nijō Castle to Arashiyama. It’s the second most popular attraction in Kyoto with Tenryu-ji temple, Okochi-Sanso Villa, the monkeys of Kameyama-koen and the incredibly tall bamboo grove are a photographer’s paradise and the perfect end to a family day out.

Reaching Nijō Castle from central Kyoto is easy, taking around 10 minutes via the subway. Take the Tozai Line to Nijojo-mae Station which stops directly outside the castle. Alternatively, the route can be walked in less than half an hour from downtown Kyoto.

Nijō Castle was originally constructed as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns and completed in 1626 under the command of Tokugawa Iemitsu. In 1939, the castle was donated to the city and opened to the public in Kyoto. To this day it still remains of the most popular attractions to visit in the city.