Review Detail
5.0 1 0.5
Attractions
Home of the Shogun in Kyoto
(Updated: October 25, 2021)
Rating
5.0
Of all of the non-temple/garden attractions in Kyoto, Nijo Castle is my favorite. I've been there several times and always enjoy it. This was the castle of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when the capital of Japan was centered in Kyoto.
Although many castles in Japan are built on hilltops, Nijo Castle was built down in the flatland of Kyoto. This makes it is easy to walk through the grounds. Your guide will likely explain the defenses including dead-ends in which to trap invaders. But more important is the "palace" area where you can see how the leader of all of Japan lived. There are large reception rooms with decorative artwork that only a Shogun might have. There are also the specially designed creaking "Nightingale" floors to warn of intruders. Nijo Castle is definitely on the short list of "must-sees" in Kyoto -- especially if you wish some variety in addition to all of Kyoto's temples and gardens.
Although many castles in Japan are built on hilltops, Nijo Castle was built down in the flatland of Kyoto. This makes it is easy to walk through the grounds. Your guide will likely explain the defenses including dead-ends in which to trap invaders. But more important is the "palace" area where you can see how the leader of all of Japan lived. There are large reception rooms with decorative artwork that only a Shogun might have. There are also the specially designed creaking "Nightingale" floors to warn of intruders. Nijo Castle is definitely on the short list of "must-sees" in Kyoto -- especially if you wish some variety in addition to all of Kyoto's temples and gardens.
