Nijo Castle

Take a leisurely stroll through the site of the huge Nijo Castle

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Nijo Castle, constructed in the Edo period, is a registered National Historic Site. Ninomaru Palace is designated as a National Treasure, and other buildings and wall panel paintings are designated as Important Cultural Properties. (Ninomaru is the area that defends Honmaru, the control center in times of war.) Nijo Castle is also a United Nations World Heritage site.
Business Hours
Saturday ( 9:0 AM ~ 4:0 PM )
Sunday ( 9:0 AM ~ 4:0 PM )
Weekdays ( 9:0 AM ~ 4:0 PM )
Price
Adult: 600 JPY
Children: 200 JPY
Address
Nijo Castle, 541 Nijojocho Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Phone
(075) 841 -0096

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About

Nijo Castle – a World Heritage site

Nijo Castle was constructed in 1603 as the Kyoto lodging place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had secured victory in the Battle of Sekigahara. It was later remodeled into the form of Nijo Castle that is seen today by Iemitsu, the third shogunate. As a flatland castle, the structure was built on a larger plot of land after the territory of the daimyo had increased. In the spacious castle grounds are Ninomaru Palace (National Treasure), Honmaru Palace (Important Cultural Property), and the Ninomaru Garden (Place of Scenic Beauty). While strolling through the castle premises, we recommend viewing these important buildings and the wall panel paintings in Ninomaru Palace, which is an Important Cultural Property.

Highlights of Nijo Castle

Of the more than 3000 wall panel paintings in Ninomaru Palace, 1016 are National Important Cultural Properties. These wall paintings were not produced at the time of the castle’s construction. Rather, they were painted by Kano Tanyu when the castle underwent a major reform in 1626. These wall panel paintings were painted using the method known as the Kano school, in which screen covered in gold leaf are decorated with brilliant pine trees using natural pigments.

Gardens constructed across the three eras of Nijo Castle

The gardens of Nijo Castle comprise three styles. From the Edo period, there is Ninomaru Garden, from the Meiji period, there is Honmaru Garden, and from the Showa period there is Seiryu Garden.Landscaping stones are placed around the pond with a central island in Ninomaru Garden, which faces the private residencies and the great hall. Although it cannot be seen by tourists from the great hall, this garden was made so that a vast landscape could originally be seen from the hall. This garden is one of the foremost examples of daimyo-style gardens. Honmaru Garden was made according to the instructions of the Emperor Meiji. Seiryu Garden was constructed in 1965 as a combination of Japanese and Western styles. In 2005, in the Journal of Japanese Gardens, a specialist American publication about Japanese gardens, Seiryu Garden was ranked fifth and Ninomaru garden was ranked tenth. In 2006, Seiryu Garden was sixth and Ninomaru Garden was eighth. Viewing the gardens is possible, but entrance is restricted. The gardens are opened to the public during various events, including the end of the year holiday. Please check the website for details.

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Reviews

7 years ago
Very cool
The grounds surrounding this castle are impressive. You can also walk inside. As you walk over the wooden boards they make noises that sounds like a bird. This was a historical technique to warn of intruders. The wall paintings give insight into life of the Shogun's and Japan's elite.
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8 years ago
Coooooool!
Nijo Castle is pretty sweet. Initially I thought it would be an average castle. But thankfully I was wrong! Nijo castle is a very large castle and a very large complex. It has beautiful gardens and high stone walls. It even has a nightingale floor! How cool is that! The castle is pretty cheap to get into, has many historical items on display. The castle itself is in great condition and is large enough to handle all of the tourist traffic. What's not to love? GO!
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