Visitors’ Guide

• The buildings and other structures within the castle are valuable cultural properties that should be passed on to future generations. Please be careful not to touch the walls or pillars or have your luggage hit them.
• Under no circumstances should you scratch, do graffiti, etc. Upon discovery, the police and other relevant authorities will be notified and strict action will be taken.
• Please take good care of buildings, signboards and other installations, trees, plants and flowers, etc. in locations other than cultural properties.

• Photos and videos may be taken on the outdoor viewing route as long as they do not interfere with other visitors.
• Taking photos and videos is prohibited in the Ninomaru-goten Palace and Honmaru-goten Palace.
• Please refrain from using monopods and tripods in the castle.
• Group photos may be taken in the space between the Kara-mon Gate and the Ninomaru-goten Palace. Please do not obstruct the view of other visitors.
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are prohibited on the Nijo-jo Castle grounds. If found, the police may be notified.

• If you wish to take photos or videos as part of your business or use photos in publications, etc., please apply according to the following procedures.
  However, depending on the contents of the photos, videos, etc., permission may not be granted.
  (e.g., wedding photos, commemorative photo shoots for coming-of-age ceremonies, etc.)

  >>Application for Permission to Take Photos/Videos and Use Them (PDF format)
  >>Application for Permission to Take Photos/Videos and Use Them (Excel format)
  >>Sample

  *For the “Subject” field on the application form, please enter the location, building, etc. of Nijo-jo Castle that will be used for photos or videos.
  Please send or bring the completed application form, along with a proposal, etc., to the Nijo-jo Castle Office no later than 10 days (must arrive no later than 10 days) prior to the date of the photoshoot or the date the photos will be used.
  In the “Applicant’s Name” column, please enter the name of the organization, the title and name of the representative in the case of a corporation or other organization.

• Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the castle except in designated areas. Please drink at each rest stop, etc., and do not drink while walking.
  Lunch boxes, etc. brought by visitors may be eaten only at the main rest area. Eating in other places is prohibited.
• Seating is limited in the main rest area, so please be considerate of other visitors. Additionally, advance reservations for seats are not permitted, even for group tours, etc.
• Please take your own garbage home with you.
• Eating and drinking are not permitted in the Ninomaru-goten Palace, Honmaru-goten Palace, and the Painting Gallery.
• The main rest area and the Waraku-an Tea House offer coffee and tea menus, so please come and enjoy them.

• Please use the smoking areas in the castle (north side of the main rest area, Seiryu-en Garden rest area, and West Bridge rest area) for smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas.
• Please be sure to dispose of cigarette butts in the ashtray. Also, do not dispose of anything other than cigarette butts in the ashtray. Please dispose of cigarette boxes, empty cans, etc. in the trash cans located in various places inside the castle.

• We have been receiving a large number of lost and found items. Please take thorough care of your baggage.
• If you have lost something, please come to the office. If the item has already been found and is in our custody, we will return it to you if we can verify your identity (please note that we will not give it to anyone other than the person in question).
• If we do not have the item, please submit a lost property report and we will contact you as soon as we find it. If found, the item must be picked up in person or mailed, etc. with payment on delivery. If you come to pick up your item, please bring something to verify your identity (Individual Number Card, driver’s license, health insurance card, student ID card, etc.).
• If we cannot confirm that the item was dropped by the person himself/herself, we may not be able to hand over the item (cash, cards with no name on them, baggage with inconsistent characteristics, baggage with inconsistent circumstances at the time of loss, etc.).
• Please note that we will not be able to respond to cases such as when a product is dropped into a moat.

• Guide dogs and hearing dogs are allowed in the castle. No other pets or animals are allowed in the castle.

• Please be careful not to wear the wrong shoes.
• Nijo-jo Castle cannot be held responsible (no compensation, etc.) in the event that somebody else accidentally takes your shoes. If you have any concerns, please ask a staff member for a shoe bag to carry them in. *In Honmaru-goten Palace, please put your shoes in the shoe box with a lock.
• Socks must be worn inside the Honmaru-goten Palace for the protection of cultural properties.

• Re-entry to the castle and palaces is not allowed. If you notice that you have left something behind after going outside, please ask a staff member or security guard for help.

Please refrain from any other activities that are against the protection of cultural properties or that may interfere with the viewing or safety of other visitors to the castle.