Nijo-jo Castle

Nijo-jo Castle was constructed in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, to serve as his Kyoto residence and a display of authority near the Imperial Palace of the time. Unlike other castles built for battle, Nijo-jo Castle was more a political stage than a fortress—its moats, stone walls, and gates symbolized power, but its role was ceremonial.
The highlight is the Ninomaru-goten Palace, a complex of six connected buildings decorated with dazzling wall and screen paintings by artists of the Kano school. Tigers, pine trees, and landscapes rendered in gold leaf were designed to awe visiting daimyo lords. The Ninomaru-goten Palace’s hallways also feature the famous “nightingale floors,” which chirp when walked upon, a phenomenon caused by clamps moving against nails driven into the wooden beams supporting the floor. Beyond lies the elegant Ninomaru Garden, created by renowned landscape designer Kobori Enshū.
Nijo-jo Castle witnessed two turning points in Japanese history: Tokugawa Ieyasu’s appointment as shogun in 1603, and the 15th shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu’s 1867 declaration restoring power to the Emperor. Today, the castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto’s most visited landmarks, located in the heart of the city. Seasonal highlights include cherry blossoms in spring, autumn foliage, and evening light-up events that showcase its gardens and historic architecture.