Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle (二条城, Nijōjō) was built in 1603 as the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. The castle features stunning palace buildings and a five-story keep added by his grandson, Iemitsu. Nijo Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, recognized for its exceptional feudal architecture. The castle grounds consist of three areas: Honmaru, Ninomaru, and gardens surrounded by stone walls and moats.

Visitors can explore the Ninomaru Palace, with its famous nightingale floors that squeak as a security measure. The palace rooms feature intricate ceilings and painted sliding doors. The surrounding Ninomaru Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden, adds to the beauty. In spring, the castle blooms with cherry trees, making it a perfect spot for a stroll. Nijo Castle’s Honmaru area, now open to the public, offers a glimpse into the past with its gardens and views from the old castle keep’s stone foundation.