Overview
Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603 as his Kyoto residence, Nijo Castle witnessed both the beginning and end of the Edo shogunate. The Ninomaru Palace's 'nightingale floors' were engineered to chirp underfoot to detect intruders. Over 3,000 gold-leaf wall paintings by Kano-school artists adorn its 33 rooms, and the gardens are considered a masterpiece of Japanese garden design. It was here in 1867 that the last shogun announced the return of power to the emperor. Admission JPY 800. A 3-minute walk from Nijojo-mae Station (Tozai Line).
Travel Tips
Shoes must be removed inside Ninomaru Palace. Cherry blossom nighttime illuminations in spring create a magical atmosphere.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Kyoto, Japan from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Japan on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Kyoto on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Kyoto with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Kyoto 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Nijo Castle
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Ryoan-ji Temple
Zen temple home to the world's most famous karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden.
📍 3.5km away
Nanzen-ji
The highest-ranked Zen temple in Japan, famous for its striking red-brick aqueduct.
📍 4.2km away
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A mystical shrine famed for its endless tunnels of vermilion torii gates.
📍 5.7km away
Things to Do in Kyoto
Kimono Walk in Gion
Rent a kimono and stroll Gion and Yasaka Shrine. Rental about JPY 3,000-6,000
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Rickshaw
Rickshaw tour through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and surroundings. From JPY 9,000/30min for 2
Fushimi Inari Night Hike
Walk through thousands of torii gates at night for a mystical atmosphere. Free, open 24 hours