Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace Visit with Guide

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

To know the origin of Japan, learning about the history of Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace is a must for all visitors to Kyoto. Nijo Castle, which is registered as UNESCO World Heritage site, is the eyewitness venue as the advent of modern Japan after the long Samurai age ruled by Shogun while Imperial Palace is the holy place once lived by the Emperor when Kyoto was the capital city of Japan, and is still occasionally visited by the current Emperor even today. During the compact 2.5-hour-tour, you will discover the Genesis of the ancient capital for over 1100 years in a small group with well-experienced guide with vast knowledge and humor.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Professional English-speaking guide

Public transportation during the tour

Entrance fees

Food and drinks

Hotel pickup and drop-off

What To Expect

Nijo Castle

For this guided tour in a small group (less than 8 guests), you can choose one from two different time slots, morning tour or afternoon tour. You will meet the guide simply in front of the huge white main gate of Nijo Castle.

1 hour•Admission Included

Kyoto Imperial Palace

After one-hour guided tour in Nijo Castle, you will transfer to Imperial Palace by public transportation with the guide, and you will have another one-hour-guided tour in Imperial Place. Entry fee and transportation are all included in the tour fee.

1 hour•Admission Included

Options

Afternoon Tour

Morning Tour

Reviews

4.97

38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fortune smiled on us!
Jason S,
Jun 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We booked this tour expecting a small group but we were the only ones to show up! Lucky us we got to have Mia, our guide, all to ourselves! Mia was a joy to learn from. She shared the history of Nijo Castle and the shogun who built it while also sharing Japanese culture. Her knowledge was both personal and broad; she was able to answer all our questions! When we went to the Imperial Palace, she was able to add more information than was on the placards giving a wonderful look into the religious and spiritual traditions. At the end of our time, she was thoughtful enough to recommend a really tasty yakitori restaurant, calling ahead to manage a reservation for us. We will remember 150 and 126 for years to come!! Strongly recommend this tour with Mia! Thank you Mia-san!!
Great Tour
Frank H,
Jun 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Private tour was worth the money. Our tour guide was awesome and very knowledgable. Everyone in our family loved the one on one experience.
Great Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace Tour
Randy M,
Jun 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was one of the best tours we have ever had in only 2.5 hours. Mia is so pleasant and personable with a great sense of humor, and her knowledge of the Tokugawa Shogunate period and the transfer of power to Emperor Meiji was exceptional. We learned so much from Mia about the time and all the symbolism at each venue. You will thoroughly enjoy this tour!
Thanks a lot for the such increadible tour
Elene K,
May 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Uncomparable experience! Excellent tour guide Mia! Admire of her deep professional knowledge! Highly-highly-highly recommend this tour!!!
Great Tour!
Hailey W,
May 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Our guide Mia (sp?) was great and had the perfect mix of historical information along with some more personable stories of the historical figures involved. Of note, the end point of the tour is not where you begin the tour.