From Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Nijo Castle

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1. Overview

How to get to Nijo Castle from Kiyomizu Temple ?

Visitors Question

You can go   〈1〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.202 +Walk,   〈2〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.202, 206, 86 + Subway, or on peak season  〈3〉 by Walk + Keihan Railway + Subway.

Locals Answer

The recommended ways to Nijo Castle from Kiyomizu Temple are (1) by Bus + Walk, (2) by Bus + Subway, or on peak season, (3) By Walk + Keihan Railway + Subway.

There is no direct bus service available between them.

The map below is the overview of the routes, stops, time and fare.

From Kiyomizu Temple, there are 2 nearest bus stops, Gojozaka and Kiyomizu-michi.

Fromt these bus stops to Nijo Castle, there is no direct bus service available.

But, if you don’t mind walking, Kyoto City Bus  No.202  directly take you to one stop north, Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop (8 minutes’ walk to Nijo Castle) from those two bus stops near Kiyomizu Temple.

Or, if you transfer for Kyoto City Subway (Tozai line) on the way, you don’ t need to walk so mach.
And, much more bus services available from Gojozaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop.

On peak season such as cherry blossom or autumn leaves, by only trains (Keihan Railway & City Subway) is better because buses are often delay due to heavy traffic jam and congestion of passengers.

Bus fare is ¥230 and Subway fare is ¥220 for the sections per ride.
(Unfortunately, transfer discountes by using IC Cards) ended at the end of March 2023)

These 3 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 Kiyomizu Temple to Nijo Castle after all ?

 By only Bus   

It takes at least 50 to 55 minutes including walking & wating time (¥230).
Firstly, you need 10 minutes’ walk to Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka bus stop.
Bus No.202 are
 operated almost every 14 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 40 minutes including walking & transfer time. (¥450).
Also, firstly head for Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka bus stop.
Buses (No.202, 206, 86) & Subway trains are operated a lot.
Please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop, (3 miutes to subway Higashiyama station).
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 much more time on peak season because of heavy traffic jam.
So, on peak season such as cherry blossom and autumn leaves, the only trains route below is recommended.

  Walk & Keihan Railway & Subway 

It takes in total about 45 to 50 minutes including walking & transfer time (¥390).
From Kiyomizu Temple to Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo station, it takes about 20 minutes’ walk.
Keihan trains are operated every 10 minutes, and Subway trains are operated a lot.
Please transfer at Keihan Railway Sanjo station for subway Sanjo-Keihan station (2 miutes).
From the arrival Subway station, it takes about 2 minutes’ walk.
Although you need more walk than other routes, you can move on time even on peak season.

From Kiyomizu Temple to Nijo Castle, firatly please head for bus stops near Kiyomizu Temple as the map below shows.
(I’ll show the way to Keihan station later)

On the way from the gate of Kiyomizu Temple, the downhill street divides in two.
At the place, Gojozaka bus stop is toward the left, and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop is toward the right.

It takes about 10 minutes’ walk to both of the bus stops.

The following sections are the details of those 3 routes.

2. By Kyoto City Bus No.202 + Walk for Nijo Castle

From Kiyomizu temple to Nijo Castle (by bus  No.202  plus walk from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop), it takes in total at least 50 to 55 minutes including average waiting and walking time. 

Bus  No.202  for Nijo Castle departs from Gojozaka bus stop C or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B.

Usually, either bus stop is fine, but, on peak season such as cherry blossom or autumn leaves, Gojozaka bus stop is better because buses are likely to be full of passengers when arrive at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop.

This Bus  No.202  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.

1. Head for Bus Stops : Gojozaka C or Kiyomizu-michi B, and Take Bus No.202

After getting out of Kiyomizu Temple, walk downhill street in 10 minutes until you come to Higashioji Street.
Gojozaka bus stop C and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B are located at west side of the Higashioji Street.
(Please refer to the map in the previous section)

(the picture : Bus No.202 at Gojozaka bus stop C)

2. Get off at Horikawa-Marutamachi Bus Stop, and Head for backward Intersection

In about 26 minutes’ ride from Gojozaka 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 from Horikawa-Marutamachi bus stop and also from the nearest Subway Nijojo-mae station exit to Nijo Castle.

Let’s check if necessary.

3. By Bus (No.202, 206, 86) + Subway for Nijo Castle

To go by Bus + Subway from Kiyomizu Temple to Nijo castle, it takes about 40 minutes in total, including walking and average wating time.

Subway & Bus Day Pass are very good for this route.
The fares are ¥450 in total.

Please transfer for Subway Tozai line at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop (Subway Higashiyama Sta.).

The followings are the details.

1. Head for Bus Stops : Gojozaka C or Kiyomizu-michi B, and Take Kyoto City Bus (No.202, 206, 86)

Please head for the same bus stops (Gojozaka bus stop C and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop Bas bus No.202 for Horikawa-Marutamachi.

From Kiyomizu Temple, it takes about 10 minutes’ walk. (Please refer to the map in the first section)

Please take bus  No.202  No.206  (or  No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal ) and  No.86 . (Note! bus  No.86  are operated by Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus in turn! Of course you can take any bus  No.86 )

(the picture : Bus No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal at Gojozaka bus stop C)

2. Get off at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop, and Transfer for Subway Tozai line.

In at least 10 minutes’ ride from Gojozaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, buses arrive at Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop.

After getting off, walk backward direction, and head for Subway Higashiyama Station Entrance No.2.

Subway entrance No.2 is located at south-east side of Higashiyama-Sanjo Intersection (meaning Higashioji St. and Sanjo St. cross), diagnally across from bus stop you just get off.

This is the Subway Higashiyama Station Entrance No.2.

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.

4. By Walk + Keihan Railway + Subway for Nijo Castle

Although you need about 20 minutes’ walk from the temple to the nearest Keihan station, Kiyomizu-Gojo, you can move to Nijo Castle without delay, avoiding congestion even on peak season.

The followings are the details.

1. The way to Kiyomizu-Gojo Sta. from the Kiyomizu Temple

After leaving Kiyomizu Temple, please head for Gojozaka Intersection.

At the place where the street divide in two on the way, walk toward left direction.

In about 10 minuts’ walk, you come to Gojozaka Intersection.

Please head for the sidewalk along the overpass on the Gojo street.

 

Keep walking along the overpass or Gojo streets until just before a river (about 10 minutes).

At the intersection just before a river, the entrance of Kiyomizu-Gojo station is located.

This station is underground like subway.

(the picture : Keihan Railway Kiyomizu-Gojo station Entrance No.4)

The map below shows the way to Kiyomizu-Gojo station from Kiyomizu Temple.

2. Take any Trains at Track No.1, Kiyomizu-Gojo Sta.

All trains departing from track No. 1 take you to Sanjo station, where you need to tranfer for Subway Tozai line.

Sanjo station is the 2nd stop.

(The Picture : Kiyomizu-Gojo station platform)

3. Get off at Sanjo Station, and Transfer for Subway.

In 4 minutes’ ride, trains arrive at Sanjo station.

(The Picture : Sanjo station Central Ticket Gate)

After getting out of ticket gates, please head for Kyoto City Subway ticket gate (Sanjo-Keihan station).

If you get out from the Central Gate, walk toward right direction. If from North gate, walk toward left direction.

Following the sign, please walk along the passage.

Soon, you come to the ticket gate of Subway Tozai line Sanjo-Keihan station.

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

Take any subway trains (Tozai line) at Sanjo-Keihan station Track No.1.

Trains are operated a lot, more than 10 times per hour in the daytime.

From the Nijojo-mae station to Nijo Castle, please refer to the previous section, the same way as I already explained.

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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  :

¥620 (from October 1st, 2019) / ¥350 (13 – 18 yars old) / ¥200 (7 – 12 yars old)

Best Time to Visit  :

at anytime you want to visit