Started in 1603, Nijo Castle was the Kyoto home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, known as the first shogun during the Edo period. It was completed in 1626 by Tokugawa Iemitsu who added a five storey castle tower. Nijo Castle was built according to the design of a typical large castle of the time with three rings of fortifications; the ‘honmaru’, the main circle followed by the second stage of fortification the ‘ninomaru’ and the third, the ‘sannomaru’. The castle tower was usually in the ‘honmaru’ and the residents occupied the ‘ninomaru’. A stone wall and a moat encircled the whole structure. The main gate and the main tower of Nijo Castle is said to have been taken from Fushimi Castle. The entrance has imposing gates; in fact two gates placed at a 90 degree angle that allowed for an inner courtyard which was heavily defended. All the buildings within the fortress including the gates are made of wood.
Nijo Castle’s main attraction is the ‘ninomaru’ palace within the second fortification which is entered through the Karamon Gate, an ornate Chinese style wooden structure with a tiled roof and painted ceiling. The palace was the Shogun’s residence and operations hub when he visited Kyoto. Still in its original form this single storey structure comprises of individual sections such as waiting rooms, audience halls and offices connected by nightingale floors that squeak when stepped on, a useful security measure. A tableau of feudal lords paying their respects to the shogun is recreated in the first grand chamber giving visitors a glimpse of the past. The palace’s elegantly painted sliding doors and ceilings in the style of the Kano School are some of the best examples of the skill of Japanese craftsmen. The floors are covered with traditional tatami mats. The palace’s traditional and extensive Japanese garden comprises ornamental stones, a large pond and pine trees that are reflected in the water.
There was another palace complex in the ‘honmaru’ which was extensively damaged by fire in the 18th century. An imperial residence was moved to the site thereafter and serves as the current honmaru palace complex. Gardens are also found in this palace complex.
There are plenty of tree lined paths both in the ninomaru and honmaru and the gardens are full of cherry trees of various varieties. There is even a cherry orchard with 400 late blooming varieties. The best time to visit here is during late March through to April when the trees are in bloom. The castle also has a plum orchard where the trees bloom from late February to March. The castle grounds also have plenty of maple, ginko and other trees that provide shady walkways in summer and add brilliant colour to the castle grounds during fall. In 1965 a Japanese garden with western overtones was added as a space to hold cultural events. Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just a short distance away from Kyoto’s famed cultural attractions, business, shopping and entertainment areas and transport options is Citadenes Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto. One of the best Kyoto serviced apartments in the city, it offers guests a selection of fully furnished and well equipped studio and one bedroom modern Kyoto accommodation options with all the necessary comforts and conveniences.
