Visitors’ Guide

Do I need an appointment to visit?

No advance reservations are required to enter the castle or view the Ninomaru-goten Palace.
Prior reservations are required for the Honmaru-goten Palace. Web tickets must be purchased in advance.
Those who are exempted from the castle admission fee also need to make a reservation in advance (web ticket).

For more information about web tickets, click here

Can I enter the castle and buildings in a wheelchair?

It is possible to enter the castle. However, there are some areas (e.g., Honmaru-goten Palace) where there are no ramps and a detour is required.
Visitors may enter the Ninomaru-goten Palace and Honmaru-goten Palace in wheelchairs, but they must transfer to a wheelchair provided for viewing.

Do you have wheelchairs available for rent?

Wheelchairs with electric power assist are available for rent free of charge at the General Information Desk. Limited number of units available. Advance rental reservations are not available.

Can I bring my pet into the castle?

Pets other than guide dogs and hearing assistance dogs are not allowed.

Is there a place to eat?

We offer a cafe menu in the main rest area and at the Waraku-an Tea House. Also, you may bring your own lunch, etc., and eat it in the main rest area, but space cannot be reserved. Please take your own garbage home with you.

How much time is needed for a visit?

The Ninomaru-goten Palace and the Ninomaru Garden can be viewed in 1 to 1.5 hours.
In addition, viewing the Honmaru Garden and Honmaru-goten Palace will take 2 and a half to 3 hours (depending on your walking speed).

Do you have a guide for the castle?

Tours (in Japanese and English, approximately 60 minutes) are available with an official Nijo-jo Castle guide. Except on days when the castle and Ninomaru-goten Palace are closed, daily tours are held in Japanese from 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and in English from 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The fee is 1,500 yen per person for the Japanese guided tour and 2,500 yen per person for the English guided tour (a castle admission fee and Ninomaru-goten Palace admission fee will be charged separately).
* There are no guided tours inside the Honmaru-goten Palace.

Click here for more information on the official Nijo-jo Castle guided tour

Can I check my luggage?

Coin lockers are located next to the Nijo-jo Castle Ticket Office and in the main rest area. There is also a luggage storage area in the main rest area. Both come at a fee.

Are there any souvenir shops?

Original Nijo-jo Castle goods and Kyoto souvenirs are available at the main rest area.

Are there facilities for nursing or changing diapers?

Facilities are located in the main rest area.

Is there a place where I can worship?

Yes. If you wish to use it please contact the Nijo-jo Castle Office.

Do you have a red seal?

Entry commemorative stamps are available at the main rest area.

Is there a place to take group photos?

You can take such photos between the Kara-mon Gate and the Ninomaru-goten Palace. Please do not obstruct the view of other visitors.
Please refrain from using monopods and tripods.

Can I take photos or videos inside the Ninomaru-goten Palace or Honmaru-goten Palace?

Taking photos and videos inside the palace is prohibited due to the narrow corridors, which may hinder viewing, and for the protection of cultural properties.

Can I enter the Ninomaru-goten Palace or Honmaru-goten Palace with a cane or crutches?

It can be used. You can enter after wiping dirt off the tip of the cane.
If you are using a cane with a pointed tip, we will lend you other types of cane (free of charge) to protect the structure.

Are there accessible toilets?

They are located in the restrooms at the West Bridge Rest Area, Seiryu-en Garden Rest Area, and the east side of Green Garden.

Is there a smoking area?

There are smoking areas at the north side of the main rest area, Seiryu-en Garden Rest Area, and West Bridge Rest Area.

Can I have a pamphlet mailed to me in advance?

We are not able to mail the pamphlet in advance, so please print out the digital pamphlet.

Do you have pamphlets in foreign languages?

We offer English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), French, Spanish, Korean, and German. All can be downloaded from the website as digital brochures.

Click here to view the pamphlets

Can I reserve a parking space?

Please check this reservation site for bus parking. For more information, please contact the Nijo-jo Castle Parking Lot Management Office (075-801-5564). Please note that reservations for regular cars are not accepted.

Click here for reservation site

Are there parking spaces for people with disabilities?

There are three parking lots in Parking Lot 1 (fee required).

Do you light up cherry blossoms and autumn leaves?

The cherry blossoms are usually lit up from mid March to mid April. Various light-up projects are also conducted in summer and fall.

I purchased a ticket for the Honmaru-goten Palace, do I also need to purchase a castle admission ticket?

You will also need to purchase a separate castle admission ticket, which can be purchased on the web or at the ticket office on the day.
(Advance purchase of a web ticket will ensure a smooth entry into the castle.)

Can I purchase tickets to the Honmaru-goten Palace only by web ticket reservation?

In addition to advance reservations via web tickets, a small number of same-day tickets will be available at the General Information Desk. However, due to the limited number of tickets available, we recommend that you purchase your web tickets in advance.

I made a reservation for the Honmaru-goten Palace, but I can not make it on the day. Can I cancel?

Tickets for the Honmaru-goten Palace cannot be cancelled.
(No cancellations will be accepted for purchased web tickets, including Honmaru-goten Palace tickets and castle admission tickets, either in advance or on the day).

I would like to change the reserved date and time for the Honmaru-goten Palace, is this possible?

Once a ticket has been purchased, it cannot be changed or cancelled.
Please confirm the date and time at the time of purchase.

How long are the viewing hours for the Honmaru-goten Palace?

The viewing time inside the Honmaru-goten Palace is approximately 40 minutes.
The Honmaru-goten Palace has a limit on the number of visitors due to the lack of sufficient space in the corridors and other parts of the building. Please understand that you may have to wait before being guided into the building.

Can I still visit the Honmaru-goten Palace even if I miss my reserved time?

Please arrive in time for the date and time of your appointment. No refunds will be made in the event that you do not make it in time and cannot enter.
After entering the castle from the Higashi Ote-mon Gate, the shortest route requires 15 to 20 minutes to reach the Honmaru-goten Palace (about 850 meters of distance). Please arrive well in advance so that you can make your appointment on time.