There are many places to explore in Kyoto, but for me, Nijo Castle was the most impressive. It doesn’t seem that Nijo castle is popular among Korean travelers. I think one big reason is that you’re not allowed to take photos inside the main building, the Ninomaru Goten (the palace area). No instagram-worthy for MZ? ahahaha. You know the answer
The Admission fee is as below chart.
| Admission |
Adult |
Middle/High School Student |
Elementary School Student |
Under Elementary Age |
| Garden+ Ninomaru Palace Tour |
¥1,300 |
¥400 |
¥300 |
Free |
| Garden Only |
¥800 |
¥400 |
¥300 |
Free |
Opulence Fit for a Shogun
Since Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun, built Nijo Castle, this place is so luxurious. Everywhere you look, there are intricate wood carvings, golden leaf details. Look at the entracne! Look at the giled decorateions! My brother said that if one has power and wealth, he should build a building. ahahah.
Inside Ninomaru goten, there are beautiful painting on the sliding doors. And you’ll also see a lot of phoenix motifs in the designs — a symbol often associated with royalty. As you know, shogun is THE ROYALTY. Showing off his powr and wealth.
This flower crest represents Japanese imperial family, and normally no one else is allowed to used it. But in Nijo castle? There are hundreds of them. The power of Power!
Inside the Ninomaru Goten
To enter the palace, you have to take off your shoes and leave them in the racks. The floor is all wooden planks — last time I came, my feet were burning from walking all day, and the cool wood felt like heaven. But this time, the weather was cold, and the wooden floor made my feet feel freezing. So, never visit in Winter.
Like before, I was fascinated by the nightingale corridor — the floor make this bird singing sound as you walk. I was told that it was designed to detect ninjas sneaking around to assassinate Tokugawa Iyeyasu, the shogun, but that’s actually a myth. The sound comes from the way the floors were naturally built in that era. Still, it's a fun story and I totally bought into it. So I told mom about this and then when we enter Ninomarugoten I found out on the wall explaining why there is this singing sound....I became a liar. 😂
Why You Should Visit
Even though you can’t take photos inside, Nijo Castle is 100% worth visiting. If you're into Japanese history, architecture, or just want a peaceful escape from the busy tourist spots, put Nijo Castle on your Kyoto list.
Skip Honmaru Goten
I don’t really recommend visiting Honmaru Goten. You need to buy an additional ticket, which is about 1000 yen,. and entrance is allowed only during a designated time slot. Mind that you even have to book it online in advance. But to be honest, there’s not much to see once you're in.
Yes, the imperial family once spent time there, but that's it!
They showed a short video about its history. After that, you’re allowed to walk around a bit — but compared to Ninomaru Goten, there is nothing special. While Ninomaru is full of gold accents, luxurious carvings, and elegant details, Honmaru Goten is plain and minimal. The whole structure is made of wood, with no gold leaf or decorative flair. Even the artwork on the sliding doors was simple and plain.
Unless you’re very into imperial history, I’d say it’s not worth the extra fee. For me, it felt like a waste of money. Don't expect much — I'd suggest skipping it.
A Tranquil Japanese Landscape — Garden
The castle grounds and gardens are beautiful. The traditional Japanese garden includes a pond, sand arrangements, and seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms and ume (plum blossoms).
Since Nijo Castle was built as a residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu and his nobles, there are areas designed for them to relax and enjoy.
Tenshukaku (Main Keep Ruins)
There’s also the site called Tenshukaku, the old castle keep. I believe it used to function as a watchtower. Now, it’s just a viewpoint, but a really nice one. You can see far across the grounds, and it’s a great spot to take photos.
It was a little windy when I went, but in a good way — refreshing.
The entire castle is quite large, and you can easily spend 1 or 2 hours walking around. I was pretty exhausted by the end, but it was absolutely worth visiting. If you’re interested in historical architecture, traditional Japanese gardens, and the luxury of the Shogun era, Nijo Castle is a must-visit.
