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Guided tour

Kyoto: Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace Guided Tour

4.7  / 5451 reviews
Certified by GetYourGuide
Activity provider:KYOTO CITY TOURISM ASSOCIATION
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Guided tour
Kyoto: Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace Guided Tour
Certified by GetYourGuide
Activity provider:KYOTO CITY TOURISM ASSOCIATION
4.7  / 5451 reviews
Likely to sell out

Explore Nijo-jo Castle on 60-minute guided tour conducted by official guide with exclusive access to some rooms. Learn why this is the best example of feudal-era castle architecture.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights

  • Explore the best example of Japan's feudal-era architecture
  • Join this guided tour for unique insight into one of Japan's most significant historical and cultural assets
  • Get exclusive access to a part of the castle normally unavailable to the public

Full description

Nijo Castle was originally built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle served as an imperial palace, before being donated to Kyoto City and opened to the public as a historic site. These buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle architecture from Japan's feudal era. Designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994, Nijo Castle is divided into three distinct areas: the Honmaru or main circle of defence; the Ninomaru, or secondary circle of defence; and the gardens encircling both the Honmaru and Ninomaru.  Inside the castle grounds, you'll find the extravagant Karamon Gate, the entrance to the Ninomaru, and the castle's main attraction, the Ninomaru Palace. The Ninomaru Palace once served as the shogun's residence and office on visits to Kyoto and remains intact to this very day.

Includes

  • 60-minutes Nijo-jo castle guided tour (Higashi Ote-mon Gate, Kara-mon Gate, Ninomaru-goten Palace, Ninomaru Garden)
  • Nijo-jo Castle admission fees
  • Transportation

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Nijo Castle Tour Ticket Booth (details provided in booking confirmation) Please enter through the East Main Gate and gather at the reception area next to the General Reception (on the left side after entering the East Main Gate). Please notify our staff at the reception of your presence.

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Important information

Know before you go

  • 【ご留意ください】当サイトよりお申込みのツアーは英語によるガイドツアーです。
  • This tour will be conducted only in English
  • Admission fee to the venue is not included in this tour and has to be paid with cash on site
  • Please enter through the East Main Gate and gather at the reception area next to the General Reception (on the left side after entering East Main Gate).
  • Each paid participant can bring 1 child aged 0-12 to join for free.
  • Earphone will be only provided to paid participants. If earphones are required for children, please purchase adult tickets.
  • The child has to be accompanied by an adult during the tour.
  • If you wish to bring more than one child to the tour, each additional child would have to purchase an adult ticket
  • You will not be able to participate in the tour if you are not present when the tour begins. Please make sure you arrive well before the start of the tour.
  • Closed on every Tuesday of July, August, December, & January, December 26th to January 3rd due to the closure of Ninomaru Goten.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 451 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.7/5

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A
Andrew – United StatesSeptember 12, 2024  – Verified booking
The tour was informative and well paced. The guide clearly enjoys guiding these tours.
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Cecile – SwitzerlandSeptember 7, 2024  – Verified booking
Our guide Kuora was very knowledgeable, nice and funny, sharing lots of anecdotes about Japanese history of samurais and emperial rule. We loved this experience! The castle is absolutely gorgeous. We were very impressed about the golden rooms with tigers and peacocks design. Thank you so much!
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C
Concetta – United StatesAugust 24, 2024  – Verified booking
What I loved about Nijo castle tour was that we could actually go inside unlike other places. The artistry was jaw dropping and authenticity gorgeous. Kauru was our terrific guide. His enthusiasm for the history of the castle and his knowledge of Nijo castle along with many of the details and timelines of dynasties in his prepared presentation materials made this tour a highlight of my trip. The castle is beautiful and so many details that it is difficult to appreciate everything, but Kauru helped us learn far more than just buying a ticket and walking in. I highly recommend this tour.
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Product ID: 310603

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