Plan your visit
Concierge guides to Nijo Castle
Practical, concierge-written guides to visiting Nijo Castle: timing, transport, comparisons and FAQs.
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How Nijo Castle tickets work
Two palaces, two tickets and a timed slot: here's what each one covers, when Honmaru places go on sale and which days to avoid.
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Inside the Honmaru Palace at Nijo Castle
A princely palace moved across Kyoto in the 1890s and reopened in 2024 after 18 years: what you'll see inside, what's on show and the house rules.
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Ninomaru Palace and its nightingale floors
Six connected buildings, thousands of wall paintings and floors that chirp underfoot: what to look for inside Nijo Castle's Ninomaru Palace.
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How long you need at Nijo Castle
Allow two and a half to three hours with the Honmaru Palace. Here's how the time breaks down and how to order your day around your timed slot.
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How to get to Nijo Castle
Subway, bus or JR: the simplest routes from Kyoto Station and the city centre, which gate to use and how much time to leave before your Honmaru slot.