Free tour

Free tour of Nijo Castle the Samurai secret Nijo Castle History Walking Tour – World Heritage (Admission ticket is not included)

4.71

Good(38)

Kyoto

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Languages: English

Guru: Local Guide Stars

PRO

Verified quality

Registered on 21 August 2025

I enjoy traveling, fitness, and exploring local food culture. I also love cooking and discovering new places that are not widely known. As a guide, I am passionate about sharing Japanese traditions, history, and everyday life with travelers from around the world. I look forward to meeting you and having a great time together!

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Step into the World of the Shogun with a Local Guide at Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is the stage upon which some of Japan’s most dramatic history unfolded. Built as the lavish Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, the castle embodies power, politics, and refined elegance in every detail.

With your local guide, you will uncover the secrets hidden behind its grand gates. Walk through the Ninomaru Palace and experience the famous “nightingale floors,” designed to chirp underfoot to warn of intruders. Admire the dazzling gold-leaf screens painted with tigers and pine trees, and hear fascinating stories of shoguns, samurai, and the imperial court. Stroll through tranquil gardens once designed to impress both allies and rivals, and gain insights you would never discover on your own.

This is not just a sightseeing stop, but a journey into Kyoto’s samurai past—brought vividly to life by a guide who knows the history, legends, and hidden details that make Nijo Castle truly unforgettable.

Entrance admission fee: JPY 1,300 per adult. ※Please note that admission tickets for Nijo Castle must be purchased individually by each guest.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Nijojo-mae Station(Nijo-jo Castle)

We are excited to see you soon, and hope you are too! One of guide will be ready to meet you outside Entrance (Exit) 1 of Nijōjō-mae Station. They will be holding a sign with our logo “Local Guide Stars”, so it will be easy to find. Here is the google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ULeqKq2KkDUGvhzY9 Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starts. As this is a group tour, we kindly ask for your understanding that we cannot keep other guests waiting. If you arrive late, the tour will start without you. Please dress accordingly to the weather, as the tour will take place, come rain or come shine! Need help? Contact our operations desk at: [email protected] For voice support, simply email us your WhatsApp number and we’ll call you. Best regards, Local Guide Stars

Outside visit

Nijō Castle Main Gate

Pass the grand Otemon Gate and feel centuries of Japanese history come alive, ticket included

Outside visit

Nijo Castle Ninomaru Palace

Step inside the heart of Nijo Castle where the Tokugawa shoguns once ruled in splendor. Golden screens glitter with scenes of tigers and pine trees, intricate carvings display unmatched craftsmanship, and the famous “nightingale floors” sing under every step to guard against intruders. Walking through these halls feels like stepping into a living story of samurai power, politics, and elegance.

Outside visit

Nijo Castle Ninomaru Garden (二の丸庭園)

Stroll through Ninomaru Garden, a grand design and timeless masterpiece of the Edo era.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).