- Are reservations required to visit the castle?
- Since the castle is open to visitors, it is not necessary to make a reservation in advance.
- It the castle wheelchair accessible?
- Yes. However, in some places, wheelchair users need to take alternate routes since there are no slopes. When entering Ninomaru-goten Palace, such visitors are required to change wheelchairs to ones belonging to the palace.
- Are wheelchair lending services available?
- Electrically assisted wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge at the General Information Center. No advance reservations are available.
- Can visitors enter the castle accompanied by their pets?
- Pets other than assistance dogs such as guide dogs and hearing dogs are not allowed to enter the castle.
- Are there any places to eat a meal?
- The Rest Area and Waraku-an Teahouse offer light meals. Although visitors can eat box lunches that they bring themselves in the Rest Area, reservations are not available for spaces. All trash must be taken home.
- How long does it take to look around the castle?
- About an hour to an hour and a half.
- Are tour guides available?
- About-60-minute tours (in Japanese and English) guided by official guides of Nijo-jo Castle are available. These tours are organized every day from 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. except for castle or palace closed days. The tour costs 1,000 yen per person (separate from castle admission).
Please see this page for details
- Can luggage be checked at the castle?
- Coin lockers are located next to the admission ticket counter and in the Rest Area. Checkrooms are also available in the Rest Area. Both the coin lockers and check rooms require a charge.
- Are there any gift shops?
- Nijo-jo Castle’s original goods and Kyoto specialties that are suitable for souvenirs are sold in the Rest Area.
- Are there any facilities to nurse babies or change diapers?
- Yes. This is located in the Rest Area.
- Is there any prayer space?
- There is a multi-purpose room in the Rest Area. To use the room, visitors should apply with the reception staff at the shop in the Rest Area.
- Can visitors collect a red ink stamp at the castle?
- No. However, “Castle Visit Commemoration Cards” are sold at the shop in the Rest Area.
- Are there any place to take a group photograph?
- The area between Kara Mon and Ninomaru-goten Palace is suitable. We hope such photography does not disturb other visitors.
- Can visitors take photographs inside Ninomaru-goten Palace?
- Photography inside the palace is prohibited since such an act can block its narrow corridors.
- Can visitors who need a walking stick or crutch for walking enter Ninomaru-goten Palace?
- The end of the stick or crutch should be wiped clean before entering the castle, a national treasure. If the end of the stick is sharp, visitors can borrow an alternate stick in prevention of damage to the palace (free of charge).
- Can visitors enter Honmaru-goten Palace?
- Currently Honmaru-goten Palace is not open to the public since it is under renovation.
- Is a multi-purpose toilet available?
- Multi-purpose toilets are located in the rest rooms in the Honmaru West Bridge rest area, Seiryu-en Garden rest area, and on the east side of Green Garden.
- Are there any smoking areas?
- Smoking areas are located on the north side of the Rest Area and in the rest areas of Seiryu-en Garden and Honmaru West Bridge.
- Is it possible to get a pamphlet by postal mail in advance?
- Although we cannot meet this request, a digital pamphlet is available for download from this page.
Click here to download digital pamphlet
- Are there pamphlets in foreign languages?
- Pamphlets in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), French, Spanish, Korean, and German are available.
Click here to download digital pamphlet
- Is it possible to reserve a parking space?
- Please refer to this reservation website for bus parking lots. For details, please contact the Nijo-jo Castle Parking Office (075-801-5564). Reservations, however, are not available for passenger car parking lots.
Please see this page for details
- Are there any parking spaces for persons with disabilities?
- Three spaces are available in the No. 1 Parking Lot (for a charge).
- Are there any night illumination events held during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons?
- Cherry blossoms are lit up from late March to the middle of April every year. Various illumination events are scheduled in summer and autumn as well.
