Nijojomae Station (subway Tozai Line) 4 min walk
Nijo Castle is a popular site for visitors to Kyoto but most don't realize that the palace was not the castle. They skip all the other artifacts and go straight to the ornate Karamon and then the palace. The entire compound along with the main keep (that no longer exists) would have been the castle. All those old gates and other buildings are important historical relics too. Nijo Castle provides something a little different If you get tired of visiting all the temples in town. Be sure to pay attention to the many original gates, storehouses, walls, turrets and other structures that also make this a magnificent castle ruin and must see for any castle fans. The Honmaru Goten was re-opened to the public in Sept.2024. It is open most days through an online reservation system. If you don't reserve a ticket in advance you can buy tickets at the castle information center if tour spots are available. I need make it clear this was not originally part of the castle. The palace was the Kyoto villa of the Imperial Family. It originally belonged to a branch family of the imperial family, and was located in the northeast corner of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (gosho). It was moved to this location after the Meiji Restoration when the imperials moved to Tokyo and Nijo Castle became the Nijo Villa of the Imperial Family.
Park open 8am-5pm (gate closes 4pm); park closed 12/29-12/31; Ninomaru Palace also closed other days; 1030 yen
Nijo Castle
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Nijo Castle Night Opening
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