Nijo Castle opening hours
Nijo Castle hours start with the grounds: you can enter from 08:45 to 16:00 and the castle closes at 17:00. The Ninomaru Palace takes its last visitors at 16:10, and the Honmaru Palace runs on timed entry between 09:30 and 16:00. The Painting Gallery admits visitors from 09:00 to 16:30 and closes at 16:45.
The Nijo Castle opening hours Kyoto visitors search for are therefore three schedules in one. If you want to see the palaces and not only the grounds, arrive in the morning. Guided options such as the Nijo Castle tours can help you start early, and the ticket page explains what each entrance fee covers.
Our pick: a morning tour that includes Nijo Castle
It covers three sights in the morning, so you are at the castle early in the day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nijo Castle tours that fit a morning start
Guided visits and day tours that stop at the castle, with live prices and availability, so you can match a departure to the opening hours.
Nijo Castle hours and closing times
What opens when, as published by the castle administration for 2026.
| Part of the castle | Entry | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Castle grounds | 08:45 to 16:00 | Castle closes at 17:00 |
| Ninomaru Palace | 08:45 to 16:10 | Included in the combined ticket |
| Honmaru Palace | 09:30 to 16:00 | Timed entry, separate ticket |
| Painting Gallery | 09:00 to 16:30 | Closes at 16:45 |
The grounds cost 800 JPY for adults and 1,300 JPY together with the Ninomaru Palace. The Honmaru Palace is an extra 1,000 JPY and is not part of the Ninomaru ticket. Read the Honmaru Palace guide before you plan it into your day.
Closing days
Three different calendars, which is why single dates are easy to mix up.
The whole castle is closed from 29 to 31 December. That year-end closure is separate from the palace rest days, which means the Ninomaru Palace has more closing days than the grounds.
- The Ninomaru Palace is also closed from 26 to 28 December and from 1 to 3 January.
- It is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August and December. When such a Tuesday is a national day off, the palace opens and closes on the following day instead.
- The Honmaru Palace is closed on the third Monday of each month and the day after, and on 26 to 28 December and 1 to 3 January. If that day is a national day off, check the notice before you travel.
Note the summer months: Tuesdays in July and August are Ninomaru rest days, not only the winter ones. If you travel in the hot season, the season guide helps you plan around them.
Shortened hours on 6 December 2026
On 6 December 2026 the last entry to the castle is 12:00 and the Ninomaru Palace admits visitors until 12:10. The castle itself closes at the usual 17:00, so it is not a full day closure. Do not plan an afternoon visit that day. The date falls at the end of the autumn festival period, and the castle history tells you more about the events the castle is known for.
How long to spend at Nijo Castle
The administration suggests about 30 minutes for the Ninomaru Palace alone. With the garden, plan one to one and a half hours. If you add the Honmaru Palace and its garden, count on two and a half to three hours in total, depending on how fast you walk. These are planning values, not guarantees.
Because the Honmaru Palace needs its own time slot and an 850 metre walk from the gate, start with the palace you have booked and fit the grounds around it.
Evening hours during the light-up
During the seasonal light-up the castle opens in the evening with its own ticket. In autumn 2026 the evenings run from 18:00 to 22:00, with the last entry at 21:00. A daytime ticket does not cover the evening, so read the light-up guide for dates and fees.
FAQ
What time does Nijo Castle open?
You can enter the castle grounds from 08:45. The last entry is at 16:00 and the castle closes at 17:00.
When is Nijo Castle closed?
The whole castle is closed from 29 to 31 December. The Ninomaru Palace has additional rest days, including Tuesdays in January, July, August and December. Check the notice for your date before you travel.
Is the last entry to the Ninomaru Palace later than for the grounds?
Yes, by ten minutes: the Ninomaru Palace admits visitors until 16:10, the grounds until 16:00.
What changes on 6 December 2026?
The last entry to the castle is 12:00 and to the Ninomaru Palace 12:10. The castle closes at 17:00 as usual.
Can I visit Nijo Castle in the evening?
Only during the seasonal light-up, which has its own ticket and times. The autumn 2026 evenings run from 18:00 to 22:00.