From Ginkakuji (silver pavilion) to Nijo Castle

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1. Overview

How to get to Nijo Castle from Ginkakuji Temple ?

Visitors Question

You can go  〈1〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.204 +Walk,
  or  〈2〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.32 (or No.105) + Subway

Locals Answer

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, Bus  No.32  and  No.105  are available from the nearest Ginkakuji-mae bus stop. (Note: Bus No. 32  are usually operated every 20 min on weekdays and every 30 min on weekends & holidays, and  No.105  is currently operated every 30 minutes only on weekends & holidays, so not so many bus services available!)
Of course, this is better if you are Subway & Bus One-day Pass holder.

Bus fare is ¥230 and Subway fare is ¥220 for the sections per ride.

Those 2 routes have pros and cons.
So, please choose your way, comparing specific examples of times and fares below.

« 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).
Firstly head for Ginkakuji-mae, the nearest bus stop.
Please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Kyoto Shiyakushomae (City hall) bus stop, (4 minutes to subway Kyoto Shiyakushomae (City Hall) station).
Bus  No.32  are operated 2 or 3 times per hour, but 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 One-day Pass, this route is recommened.
in case of Bus  No.105 , please transfer at Higashiyama-sanjo bus stop to subway Higashiyama station!

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.

The map below shows the ways to Nijo Castle from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop, and also from the nearest subway station.

Let’s check if necessary.

3. By Kyoto City Bus No.32 (or No.105) + 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.

Subway & Bus One-day Pass is very good for this route.
The fares are ¥450 in total.

If you take bus  No.32 , please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Kyoto Shiyakushomae bus stop (Subway Kyoto Shiyakushomae Sta.).
In case of bus  No.105  on weekends & holidays, transfer 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.32 (or No.105)

From Ginkakuji Templewalk 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)

Take bus  No.32 , but please be careful that this bus are operated every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends & holidays, so not many bus services available. You can also take bus  No.105  only on weekends & holidays.

2-1. (In case of Bus No.32) Get off at Kyoto Shiyakushomae bus stop, and Transfer for Subway Tozai line.

In prebaration

After taking bus  No.32 , in at least 19 minutes’ ride from Ginkakuji-mae bus stop, buses arrive at Kyoto Shiyakushomae bus stop.

After getting off the bus, proceed to the big intersection ahead and go down stairs from the subway entrance around there.

In prebaration

The nearest one is the second basement of the Kyoto Hotel Okura on the corner of that big intersection, which is connected to the subway entrance No.3.  Please take the stairs outside this hotel down to the basement 2 floor.

In prebaration

This is the subway entrance on the basement 2 floor of Kyoto Hotel Okura.

2-2. (In case of Bus No.105) Get off at Higashiyama-sanjo bus stop, and Transfer for Subway Tozai line.

In prebaration

In case of bus  No.105 , please get of at Higashiyama-sanjo bus stop after about 17 minutes’ ride. The subway entrance is just in front of you!

3. Take any Subway Trains at Track No.1.

Take any subway trains (Tozai line) at Kyoto Shiyakushomae (or 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 to 9 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.

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4. Nijo Castle Information

Opening Hours :

8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closing time is 5:00 p.m. )
July – August 〉  8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (close 6:00 p.m.)
September      8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (close 5:00 p.m.)

Admission Fee  :

¥800 (adult, ¥700 if you have Subway & Bus One-day Pass!) / ¥400 (13 – 18 yars old) / ¥300 (7 – 12 yars old)

Best Time to Visit  :

at anytime you want to visit