Kyoto · NIJO CASTLE TOURS
The floors squeak on purpose and the painted rooms are where the shogunate ended. These 14 cover the guided walks through Ninomaru Palace and the gardens outside, with entry prices and how they pair with the rest of the centre.
Spend one hour touring Nijo Castle, Karamon Gate, Ninomaru Palace, and Ninomaru Garden with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Ai, Miki, Kaoru, and Don explain shogun life, political power, palace artwork, and rooms normally closed to the public. Admission is paid separately in cash.
“This tour was the most interesting of all the things we did in Japan. Our tour guide was wonderful!”
Travel by coach from Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande to five Kyoto icons. You’ll get early access to Arashiyama, free time at Fushimi Inari, and bilingual English-Spanish guidance from tour leaders such as Cesar, Angeles, or Paula. Choose the ticket option to include Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera.
“This tour was an easy way for us to see some of the most recommended sights in Kyoto and did not disappoint. Angeles was a great guide and provided alot of information on each place.”
This 10-hour-45-minute bus tour links Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari. An English and Spanish guide, such as Paula, Cesar, or Angeles, leads the day. Choose a basic package or add temple tickets and lunch.
“The tour was great as we got to visit and stroll around some of the most famous landmarks in this ancient city. This is a great value for someone who wants to get a glimpse of the amazing history and monuments and who is not staying long in the city. The guide and driver were very friendly and I felt I learned some interesting history along the way.”
Spend three hours touring Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace with an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect Ninomaru Palace, its gardens and paintings, plus the Imperial Palace grounds. Guides such as Jasmine, Raphael, Vincent, and Taku add history, cultural context, and local tips.
“Impeccable tour that allows you to see two of Kyotos important scenes in one go. Even still it is not rushed, you have ample time to enjoy both sites! Jasmin is a very knowledgeable and attentive tour guide, she’s also fluent in English and very welcoming! One of my favourite tours here in Kyoto 👍”
Meet your guide at Nijojo-mae Station for a 90-minute small-group tour of UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle. Admission is included, and guides such as Nao, Naoya, Alex, and Benjamin bring the Tokugawa shoguns, palace rooms, gates, and gardens to life.
“Excellent tour with Naoya. We learned a lot and it was much better than touring the castle alone. Naoya was very friendly and answered all our questions. His English was very good and easy to understand. Highly recommend this tour and specifically this guide.”
Walk through Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace in three hours with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Jasmine, Taku, and Atsushi are praised for clear history, cultural detail, and family-friendly pacing. Entry is included, but you must arrange transport between the two sites.
“Educational, perfect length of time, gorgeous walking tour, super sweet guide Jasmine Lau. Very enjoyable!”
Join a small group of up to nine for a three-hour walking tour of Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. Guides such as Goku, Kayo, Nene, and Taku explain architecture, politics, and Japanese culture, with time for gardens, castle rooms, photos, and local advice.
“Goku is a phantastic, interested and very knowledgable guide who was fun to take the tour with.”
Spend 2.5 hours at Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace with an English-speaking guide such as Mia, Mie, or Choko. Learn how shoguns and emperors shaped Japan, see Nijo Castle’s remarkable interiors, and ride public transport between sites. Morning and afternoon departures are available.
“Uncomparable experience! Excellent tour guide Mia! Admire of her deep professional knowledge! Highly-highly-highly recommend this tour!!!”
Join Kyoto City Certified Guide Roberto from Kyoto Station for a four-hour private tour of Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki Market. Learn about shoguns, samurai, and the Edo Period through clear English or Spanish explanations, with iPad images to make the sites easier to understand.
“La Experiencia fue excelente. Muy amable atención. Roberto es un gran guía profesional y comprometido. Una persona muy agradable. Nos encantó a mi familia y a mi. Súper recomendable.”
Meet Richard at Nijo Castle’s west-side main gate for a three-hour guided walk through samurai life, castle design, Japanese culture, and the transition from shogun to emperor. Admission and a green tea break are included, with groups capped at eight.
“Richard was excellent-very knowledgeable and thorough. Was nice to see Nijo compared to Imperial Palace in the same day. Would highly recommend this tour with Richard”
This five-hour private Kyoto tour links Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji, with guides such as Tom, Ryu, Kazuya, and Maki sharing local stories. You begin at Kyoto Station and finish at the Golden Pavilion. Admission to Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji costs extra.
“We had an amazing time experiencing Fushimi Inari, Nijo and Kinkaku-ji. It was great seeing Fushimi Inari in all of its glory before it got very crowded. Tom was our guide and he was impeccably wonderful! His expertise of the cultural history of Read more”
Start at Kyoto Station with a private guide such as Naoko, Chie, or Fuji, then visit Higashi Hongan-ji, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Expect about seven hours of walking, local transport costs, and a separate Nijo Castle admission fee.
“I would recommend this walking tour tour to those who want to see the most of Kyoto but don't have much time. The tour company was excellent. After making teh booking they kept me informed with a detailed itinerary of sites and times, Read more”
You’ll visit five major Kyoto sights with an English- or Japanese-speaking guide, including Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. Guide Takashi is available on some departures. Expect trains, buses, walking, and lunch on your own.
“Our guide Takashi may probably be the best guide we've ever had. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, kind & thoughtful. The programme is well structured & is a seamless introduction to some of the major sights of Kyoto. We enjoyed walking, catching buses & trains. If you have a limited time in Kyoto you must do this guided tour. We cannot speak more highly of Takashi & the tour.”
Spend two hours at Kyoto’s Nijo Castle with an English-speaking guide such as Seana or Megumi. See key castle buildings, walk the gardens, and hear personal stories about shogun power and palace life. The route lists Honmaru-goten Palace, but confirm whether an interior visit is included when booking.
“Very interesting and fun tour with my guide Seana. Plenty of time to focus more in detail to some of the spots within the castle or Ninomaru palace. It was fun to find together with Seana the "floating peacock" panel in Ohiroma Ni-no-ma (second room) within Ninomaru palace that is not visible from the beaten track. As she speaks Japanese we could ask the staff to assist us in our "discovery"! Seana shared in depth stories too about the castle giving it a personal touch from the guide's point of view. It was interesting and I enjoyed the tour very much, highly recommend! Only one remark, GtG should include an…”
Pick a lane, a temple or a tea room.
