Nijō Castle

The castle includes the Ninomaru Palace complex with six buildings connected by corridors and surrounded by traditional Japanese landscape gardens with ponds and pine trees.

Tokugawa Ieyasu established this residence in 1603 as the first shogun of the Edo Period, and his grandson Iemitsu expanded it by adding a five-story castle keep.

The interior of Ninomaru Palace displays numerous wall partitions decorated with paintings from the Kano school, along with ornate screens representing Japanese aristocratic aesthetics.

The castle operates daily from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM, with separate admission fees for the main grounds and Ninomaru Palace, accessible via Nijojo-mae Station.

The corridors feature nightingale floors that produce chirping sounds when walked upon, an early security system to detect unauthorized intruders in the castle.

Location: Nakagyō Ward

Inception: 1601

Founders: Tokugawa Ieyasu, Itakura Katsushige

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Website: http://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/

Made from material: wood

Part of: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, 100 Fine Castles of Japan

Address: 541 Nijōjōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan 604-8301 Kyoto

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:45-17:00

Phone: +81758410096

Website: http://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.01417,135.74750

Latest update: September 8, 2025 10:04