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Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is one of Kyoto's UNESCO world heritage sites and a beautiful Kyoto tourist attraction.
History of Nijo-jo
Nijo-jo was ordered built in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu as an ornate, ostentatious Kyoto residence for
the Tokugawa clan. The castle was completed in 1629 by his son and successor, Iemitsu.
Sparingly fortified by an expansive moat and towering stone walls, the palace was a symbol of the unchallenged power of the
Tokugawa Shogunate at the time.
Features of Nijo-jo
Castle Structures
Today, the castle is an awe-inspiring tourist attraction. Inside the massive palace you'll be able to take in the
ornate architecture, which includes lavish quantities of gold leaf and elaborate wood carvings, expansive tatami
rooms, and several masterpieces of Japanese art, most notably the exquisitely painted sliding doors and wall panels rendered by
artists of the Kano School.
Castle Gardens
Outside the buildings, the expansive castle grounds contain moats with massive stone walls:
Several gardens that contain cherry, plum and pine trees:
Tranquil ponds:
Tea houses:
And artful arrangements of rocks:
As one of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Nijo Castle is worth a visit during your stay in Kyoto.
Directions to Nijo-jo
By Bus: Take bus no. 9, 50, or 101 from Kyoto Station and get off at the Nijojo-mae stop;
By Train: From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma Oike Station and transfer to the Tozai Line.
Nijo-jo Hours of Operation and Admission
Open every day from 8:45 to 17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
Closed during the New Year Holiday, and each Tuesday in December, January, July and August (or the following day
when Tuesday is a national holiday)
Admission is 600 yen
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Tokyo
That first visit to Tokyo can be overwhelming. In order to help you
navigate through this massive cultural mecca, our
Tokyo Guide provides you with just a small guide to our
favorite Tokyo destinations and attractions.
Kyoto
Kyoto
is a treasure trove of fascinating and culturally important temples, shrines, castles, arts, and artifacts for visitors to explore, many of which are National Treasures of Japan and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Yokohama
Yokohama
is an exciting port city full of fun attractions and sightseeing spots. You can very easily enjoy the best of what Yokohama has to offer on a day-trip from Tokyo, yet there is enough to see and do that you could easily make Yokohama your prime Japan travel destination!
Nikko
Nikko
is a popular tourist destination famous for the mausoleums of the Tokugawa shoguns, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as soothing onsen hot springs surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of wooded mountains, waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails.
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