I have mixed feelings about visiting this place. I thought the story about the nightingale floors was super interesting, and you can really hear it super well when you're walking around inside! It is lovely. But besides that, everything inside the castle really did not manage to keep my interest. Everything you see is a replica, and there are life sized dolls/mannequins all throughout the property to illustrate how people used to sit in the rooms for example. Personally i really dislike when museums use these kind of dolls, to me it's cheap and disrupts the beautiful things there are to see, but i understand why the mannequins are placed there. I understand they are there to help people visualize better. I just personally don't like it. The gardens around the castle were nice. The public restroom was dirty.
This castle is one of Japan's most celebrated, distinguished by its significant historical value, pivotal role in the nation's narrative, strategic location within a notable city, and recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Nijo Castle, a gem in the city that captivates with its majestic white walls, towering east gate, and year-round beauty, clearly reflects the grandeur of its historical inhabitants.
Tokugawa shogunate
The Palace, a National Treasure, features six interconnected buildings exemplifying the shoin-zukuri architectural style, refined in the early Edo period (1603–1867), and stands as the sole remaining example of a fortified palace complex.
Tours guided by official guides of Nijo Castle, available in both Japanese and English and lasting about 60 minutes, are offered daily at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, except on days when the castle or palace is closed, typically ranging in duration from an hour to an hour and a half.
Visited Nijō Castle today. It's a good culture experience to visit and look at how they constructed the building all those years ago.
It's a marvellous to see how it has held up all these years later.
It's something you need to experience when visiting Kyoto.
If you can, join a tourist guide for a little $$ extra on top of the entry fee to listen to the history, build, how each room was used, and image you being there back in the 1600.
Worth doing if you want to learn about the history or just want to kill some time.
skip this location or only buy ourside ticket (800¥) if possible. the scenery is alright but every building inside requires additional tickets its outrageous. the castle access ticket costs 1,300¥ and its not even the main castle (middle of map costs another 1,000¥ ticket) all of the historical pieces inside were replicas and it was essentially a tour of empty hall ways looking into empty rooms.
there was also only 1 way in and out which is the south entrance, the others are blocked. So after you finish you need to walk all the way back.
A very beautiful castle, and the castle grounds, particularly the gardens, are equally impressive. Entry fee is minimal, and the castle itself was located very near to our hotel. Be ready to take a lot of pictures and a lot of walking. If you're traveling with kids, they might not be able to appreciate the whole place, and may lose interest after the first 30 minutes or so 😉. Nevertheless, this is a must visit attraction if you are in kyoto.
This is a must visit if you are near Kyoto. I was blown away by the gardens and castle. It will take 3-4 hours to explore it all and learn the history of Nijō Castle. I am God fearing Christian man, and this place made me rejoice in God’s creation. The perfection of the gardens to the impeccable detail in the artwork, architecture, gardening, and detailed pruning reinforced the power and beauty of creation. I felt a type of high walking through this place. I very much so enjoyed this visit and got some fantastic photos as well.
