Nijo Castle Ninomaru Garden
This season's opening
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2026 (evening event)
- Hours
- 18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
- Admission
- Early bird (bought by Oct 22): ¥1,600 Mon–Thu, ¥2,000 Fri–Sun/holidays. Regular: ¥2,000 Mon–Thu, ¥2,400 Fri–Sun/holidays (high-school age and up; free for junior-high age and under)
- Booking
- Booking advisedTickets from ticket agencies and convenience stores nationwide (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop), per the organizer; early-bird prices until Oct 22.
An art event that lets you walk Nijo Castle at night among projection mapping, light, sound and scent. The route differs from the daytime one; per the organizer, the 2026 venues are the Karamon gate, the carriage porch and the front of the Ohiroma at Ninomaru Palace, the illuminated Ninomaru Garden, the inner moat, Koun-tei, Seiryu-en and the kitchen forecourt.
The Ninomaru and Honmaru palace interiors are closed during the event (per the ticket seller Pia). It runs to 22:00; afterwards try Rojioku Garden168 on Ogawa-dori, a bar by night.
About the garden
A garden built by the shogun to impress feudal lords, laid out to be seen from the palace's great hall. The sheer size of the stones is a display of power.
Where to stand
Besides the frontal view from the great hall, there is a diagonal view from the Kuroshoin. The garden was designed to look best from wherever the shogun sat.
Practical notes
The palace interior (extra ¥500) is worth it but photography is banned inside. The garden and the Honmaru area are free to photograph. Audio guide in English available.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing5 min walk🍽 FoodNijojo Ohana (kushiage izakaya)
A skewer-and-fish izakaya a short walk from Nijojo-mae Station, with private rooms for a quiet talk after the night at the castle.
Order：Kushiage skewers and the fish dishes
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing8 min walk🍶 BarRojioku Garden168 (machiya lunch and bar)
At the end of an alley off Ogawa-dori: Kyoto home cooking by day, a bar by night. Walk east from the castle event and you can still sit down after 22:00.
Order：A Japanese whisky at night
11:30–15:00; 18:00–23:00 (to midnight Fri–Sat)Closed: Tuesdays (open on holidays), Monday evenings¥2,000–3,000 at nightDetails ↗