Nijō Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa family, to serve as a luxurious residence when visiting Kyoto and to assert military and political authority over the emperor. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” and is also recognized as a National Treasure of Japan.

Ninomaru Palace:

• Architectural significance: A wooden structure that has survived disasters and retains its original form; designated as a National Treasure.

• Layout: Composed of six connected wooden buildings in a “Flying Geese Formation,” representing the pinnacle of Shoin-zukuri architecture of the early Edo period.

• Nightingale Floors: Specially designed floors that chirp like birds when walked on to alert against intruders, especially ninjas.

• Fusuma paintings: Over 3,600 sliding door and wall paintings created by artists of the Kanō School, featuring gold accents and grandiose images. The Tiger Room contains fierce tiger and black tiger paintings to impress and intimidate visitors.

Karamon Gate: The elaborately carved wooden gate features auspicious symbols such as cranes and peonies, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.

Gardens:

• Ninomaru Garden: A Special Place of Scenic Beauty, designed by the famous garden master Kobori Enshū.

• Honmaru Garden: The current garden was relocated from Katsura Detached Palace during the Meiji period and designated an Important Cultural Property.

• Seiryu-en Garden: A hybrid of Japanese and Western styles, built in 1965 and used for cultural events.

In 1867, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun, used Ninomaru Palace to formally return political power to Emperor Meiji (Taisei Hokan), marking the end of the shogunate and the start of the Meiji era.

Seasonal Highlights:

• Spring: Hundreds of plum trees bloom from late February to early March, along with approximately 300 cherry trees of various varieties, offering nearly a month-long cherry blossom viewing period.

• Special activities: Evening illuminations during cherry blossom season create a magical atmosphere for visitors.

• From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus No. 50 or 101 to Nijo-jo Castle stop, or walk approximately 15–20 minutes from Nijo Station (JR or Subway Tozai Line).

• Wear easy-to-remove shoes, as shoes must be removed inside the palace.

• Photography inside Ninomaru Palace is prohibited.

• Allow 1.5–2 hours to fully explore the castle and gardens.

• Spring and autumn are ideal for enjoying the gardens and seasonal foliage.

Admission Fee:

• Adults: ¥1,030, High School Students: ¥350, Elementary & Junior High Students: ¥200

Opening Time:

• 08:45 – 17:00 (last ticket sold at 16:00)