From Ginkakuji (silver pavilion) to Nijo Castle
Advertisements
1. Overview

How to get to Nijo Castle from Ginkakuji Temple ?
You can go 〈1〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.204 +Walk,
or 〈2〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.100(currently out of service!) + Subway.
The recommended ways to Nijo Castle from Ginkakuji Temple is (1) by Bus + Walk, (2) by Bus + Subway.
There is no direct bus service available between them.
The map below is the overview of the routes, stops, time and fare.
From Ginkakuji Temple, there are 2 near bus stops, Ginkakuji-mae and Ginkakuji-michi.
From these bus stops to Nijo Castle, there is no direct bus service available.
But, if you don’t mind walking, Kyoto City Bus No.204 directly take you to one stop north, Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop (8 minutes’ walk to Nijo Castle) from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop.
Or, if you transfer for Kyoto City Subway (Tozai line) on the way, you don’ t need to walk so much.
And, much more bus services (Bus No.100 ) available from Ginkakuji-mae bus stop. (Atteniton! Bus No.100 are currently out of service for an undetermined period, so take bus No.204 for Nijo castle.)
Bus fare is ¥230 and Subway fare is ¥220 for the sections per ride.
(When you transfer from buses to subway trains, the fare is discounted ¥60 autmatically if you pay by IC Cards)
Those 2 routes have pros and cons.
So, please choose your way, comparing specific examples of times and fares below. (Attention! because bus No.100 are out of service, please take bus No.204 for Nijo castle from Ginkakuji temple.)
« Examples »
Actually, how long & how much does it take from Ginkakuji Temple to Nijo Castle after all ?
♦ By only Bus
It takes at least 45 to 50 minutes including walking & wating time (¥230).
Firstly, you need 8 minutes’ walk to Ginkakuji-michi bus stop.
Bus No.204 are operated almost every 15 minutes. (Note : not so many bus services)
From the arrival Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop, it takes about 8 minutes’ walk to the Castle.
♦ By Bus & Subway
It takes in total about 48 minutes including walking & transfer time. (¥450 or ¥390 if IC card).
Firstly head for Ginkakuji-mae, the nearest bus stop.
Please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop, (3 miutes to subway Higashiyama station).
Bus No.100 & Subway trains are operated a lot.
From the arrival subway Nijojo-mae station to Nijo Castle, it takes about 2 minutes’ walk.
If you have Subway & Bus Pass, this route is recommened.
Please note that those buses are likeiy to take more time on peak season because of traffic jam and a lot of passengers.
From Ginkakuji Temple to Nijo Castle, firatly please head for near the 2 bus stops as the map below shows.
Ginkakuji-mae (meaning “in front of”) is the nearest, and Ginkakuji-michi (meaning “lead to”) is second nearest.
Bus No.204 comes to Ginkakuji-michi bus stop only.
The following sections are the details of those 2 routes.
2. By Kyoto City Bus No.204 + Walk for Nijo Castle

From Ginkakuji temple to Nijo Castle (by bus No.204 plus walk from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop), it takes in total at least 45 to 50 minutes including average waiting and walking time.
Bus No.204 for Nijo Castle departs from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop A.
The bus stop A is located on your left side before crossing the road (called Shirakawa street), when you walk downhill street in 7 minutes from Ginkakuji temple.
Please go pass the nearest bus stop, Ginkakuji-mae on the way, because Bus No.204 doesn’ t come.
(please refer to the map in precious section)
The bus No.204 is operated almost every 15 minutes.
This Bus No.204 doesn’t go to the nearest bus stop to Nijo Castle (Nijojo-mae bus stop), so you need about 8 minutes’ walk from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop.
The followings are the detalis.
1. Head for Ginkakuji-michi Bus Stop A, and Take Bus No.204

When you come to Shirakawa Street, then turn left.
Soon, you can see Ginkakuji-michi bus stop A ahead.

At Ginkakuji-michi bus stop A, take Bus No. 204 .
2. Get off at Horikawa-Marutamachi Bus Stop, and Head for backward Intersection

In about 21 minutes’ ride from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop, buses arrive at Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop.
After getting off, walk backward direction, and head for the intersection ahead (Horikawa-Marutamachi intersection, meaning Marutamachi St. and Horikawa St. cross).
At the intersection, turn right and keep walking straight along the street.
(Now, you are on the Horikawa street)

At the next intersection, keep walking straight along the stone wall of the Nijo Castle.
3. Finally, the ticket office of Nijo Castle !

In about 8 minutes’ walk from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop, you come to the ticket office of the castle.
Main entrance is over the ticket office.
3. By Kyoto City Bus No.100 + Subway for Nijo Castle

To go by Bus + Subway from Ginkakuji Temple to Nijo castle, it takes about 48 minutes in total, including walking and average wating time.
(Attention! Because bus No.100 are out of service currently, please take bus No.204 for Nijo Castle from Ginkakuji temple.)
Subway & Bus Day Pass are very good for this route.
If you pay by cash, the fares are ¥450 in total.
But, if by any IC cards, the fare is discounted to ¥390.
Please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop (Subway Higashiyama Sta.).
The followings are the details.
1. Head for Ginkakuji-mae Bus Stop, and Take Kyoto City Bus No.100 (Note: out of service currently!)

From Ginkakuji Temple, walk downhill street in 5 minutes.
Right after crossing a small bridge, you can see Ginkakuji-mae bus stop located on your left side ahead.
(Please refer to the map in the previous section)
Please take bus No.100 , operated every 7 or 8 minutes.
Bus No.100 is called one of “Raku Bus“, meaning special bus for visitors to go sightseeing in Kyoto easily.
2. Get off at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop, and Transfer for Subway Tozai line.

In at least 17 minutes’ ride from Ginkakuji-mae bus stop, buses arrive at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop.
After getting off, walk to the backward intersection, and turn right.

After turning right, soon you can see the subway entrance No.2 on your right.
(Subway entrance No.2 is located at the south-east side of the Intersection.)
3. Take any Subway Trains at Track No.1.

Take any subway trains (Tozai line) at Higashiyama station Track No.1.
Trains are operated a lot, more than 10 times per hour in the daytime.
4. Get off at Nijojo-mae Station

In 7 minutes, trains arrive at Nijojo-mae station.
After getting out of the ticket gate, please head for Exit 1.

From the Exit 1, you can see Nijo Castle just in front of you.
Advertisements