Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan

Day 6 in Nara: New Miyako Hotel, A review - Heian Jingu Shrine and Garden - Nanzenji Temple and grounds - NIJO CASTLE - Golden Pavilion Temple

Apart from the many temples and shrines, if there is one castle that you must visit in Kyoto, it's the Nijo castle. A UNESCO world heritage site today, the castle originally dates back to the year 1603 (rebuilt in 1628) when it was built by the infamous Tokugawa shogunate (head of the feudal military government during the Edo period).

The main entrance to the Nijo castle

The castle stood guard to the nearby Kyoto Imperial palace and served as a residence for the shoguns to stay when they visited Kyoto.

Ninomaru Palace and Garden

Two gates at the entrance – the Ninomaru Higashi-otemon and the Ninomaru-goten Karamon lead you to the spacious grounds of the Nijo castle. Here, as a living testimony to an era gone by, stands the Ninomaru palace.

The Ninomaru palace and grounds

A walking tour through the palace leaves you fascinated as you pass through a number of rooms, each containing decorative paintings and life-size figurines depicting the life and living of the shoguns as it was during the 16th century. Not only the room but the floors known as 'the Nightingale floors' are equally mesmerizing too as they let out a squeal when you walk on them – an efficient safety alarm that the feudal lords and military chiefs created to protect them against treachery and assassination attempts.

Adjacent to the Ninomoru palace is the extensive and beautifully landscaped Japanese garden called the Ninomaru Teien with rocks, stones, trees, flowers, fishes, waterfalls and of course, a lot of tranquility.

Ninomaru garden

Honmaru Palace – Inner-Inner Nijo Castle Grounds

Cross a bridge, walk across a moat and one comes across the inner and the main circle of defense housing the Honmaru palace and grounds.

Inner moat seperating the Ninomoru and the Honmaru sections of the castle

One of the best ways to view this ground dotted with Japanese-style palatial buildings and scenic gardens is by climbing an elevated terrace in the grounds.

Honmaru grounds view from an elevated terrace

Alternatively, one can also walk across the winding trails of the surrounding gardens and get a feel of the area.

Walking along the Honmaru trail

Note: The Honmaru palace remains closed for the common public barring some special days.

How to reach

Timings: 8:45 to 16:00
Admission fees: 600 yen
Access: Nijo castle is close to Kyoto station. You can take the local bus (a day bus costing around 500 yen is a great way of getting around in Kyoto). Alternatively you can take the subway to the Nijojo-mae Station.

Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -

1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
2. Sunrise pictures from the flight to Japan
3. Entire Day 1 of Japan (includes Review of Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo, Expedia Japan Office Meet: An Afternoon to Remember) 4. Entire Day 2 of Japan (includes SensoJi temple: Asakusa - Tokyo, Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo, Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo, A Stroll in the Hibiya Gardens, Imperial Palace and East Gardens, The Tokyo Tower, Japan)

5. Entire Day 3 of Japan (includes Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, ISKCON Temple, Funabori in Tokyo, Epson Aquarium, Shinagawa in Tokyo)

6. Entire Day 4 of Japan - Nara (includes Riding the Shinkansen: My ticket to Kyoto, Hello Nara (Planning and Welcome), Driving through Nara: An Introduction, Horyu-ji Temple, Tea Ceremony in Jiko-in Zen Temple)
7. Entire Day 5 of Japan - Nara: (includes Messengers of God: Deer in Nara Park, The Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, A Walk in the Yoshikien Garden, Kofukuji Temple, Naramachi Street)

8. Where to stay in Kyoto: New Miyako Hotel
9. Heian Jingu Shrine and Garden, Kyoto

10. Nanzenji Temple and grounds