Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace English Guided Tour (Kyoto City Tourism Association)
Overview
Tour Nijo Castle and the Ninomaru Palace in Kyoto on an official 60-minute guided tour with an English-speaking certified guide, approved by Kyoto City Tourism Association. Learn about the historical and cultural significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and access part of the Nijo Castle normally unavailable to the public!
Highlights
- Enjoy a great example of Japanese feudal-era castle architecture
- Access the exclusive area in Nijo Castle that’s normally closed to the public
- Learn about the history of Japan as you walk the vast grounds of the castle and adjacent palace
- Each paid participant receives a voucher for a “gojoin” commemorative castle stamp
- Book with a Rakuten account to earn and use points for each booking!
Key Information
Description
Nijo Castle (or Nijo-jo) was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603–1867). On this guided tour, you can fully explore the castle’s grounds, and make your way to Ninomaru Palace, the home and office of the shogun during his visits to Kyoto. Finally completed after 23 years by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu, Nijo Castle boasts palace buildings that stand as exquisite examples of Japan's castle architecture. After serving as an imperial palace post the Tokugawa Shogunate, it was generously donated to the city, becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The tour unfolds through the palace’s waiting and audience rooms, and outside, you’ll discover the Ninomaru Garden, a traditional landscape featuring a serene pond, ornamental stones, and meticulously groomed pine trees. Accompanied by a certified, English-speaking guide, you’ll uncover this historic site’s many fascinating stories, and walk away with a deeper appreciation of Japan’s enthralling past.