Short version. Entry 8:45 to 16:00; the castle closes at 17:00. Buy the castle and Ninomaru Palace ticket together. The Honmaru Palace needs a reservation. No photos inside either palace. Evening light-ups run from 23 October to 5 December 2026.
Hours and closed days
- Entry 8:45 – 16:00; the castle closes at 17:00.
- Ninomaru Palace: reception 8:45 – 16:10. Closed every Tuesday in January, July, August and December, and on 26 – 28 December and 1 – 3 January.
- Honmaru Palace: reception 9:30 – 16:00, reservation required. Closed on the third Monday of every month and the day after.
- The whole castle is closed from 29 to 31 December.
Tickets
| Ticket | Adults | Junior and senior high | Elementary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle entry | ¥800 | ¥400 | ¥300 |
| Castle entry + Ninomaru Palace | ¥1,300 | – | – |
| Honmaru Palace (reservation, entry ticket also needed) | ¥1,000 | ¥300 | ¥200 |
Children below elementary school age are free. If you bought an adult entry ticket only, you can add the Ninomaru Palace ticket (¥500) at the information centre after you enter.
Rules
- No photos or videos inside the Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces.
- Eat and drink only in the designated places.
Nijo-jo Matsuri 2026
From 23 October to 6 December 2026 the castle is open 8:45 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00); on 6 December the last entry is at noon. The evening light-up runs from 23 October to 5 December, 18:00 – 22:00.
- Nijo-jo Castle, hours and closed days: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/en/guide/annai/
- Nijo-jo Castle, fees: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/en/admission/fee/
- Nijo-jo Castle, visitor rules: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/en/guide/caution/
- Nijo-jo Matsuri 2026: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/event/matsuri2026/