Nijō Castle (Former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a famous tourist attraction known as the location of the return of political power to the Emperor. Built in the Momoyama period style and home to many national treasures and important cultural properties, Nijō Castle offers a wealth of sights. Visitors can fully enjoy the historical setting and atmosphere. The cherry blossom light-up in spring and the magical nighttime viewings are also popular! Here, we clearly explain the history, highlights, and access information for Nijō Castle, the site of both the birth and fall of the Edo Shogunate.
1. What is the former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle?
Located in the center of Kyoto City, the “Former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle” was built in 1603 at the beginning of the Edo period by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. It was constructed as a residence for the shogun when traveling to Kyoto and to guard the Imperial Palace.
There are many gates, including the Higashi Otemon, Karamon, Minami-mon, Momoyama-mon, Nishimon, and Kita Otemon, and an outer moat encircles the castle grounds. Key attractions include the Honmaru Palace, Ninomaru Palace, Ninomaru Garden, Seiryu-en Garden, and the southeast and southwest watchtowers.
Moreover, Nijō Castle is famously the site of the historical turning point, the “Return of Political Power”! On October 14, 1867 (Keiō 3), the 15th shogun Yoshinobu declared the return of political authority to Emperor Meiji in the Great Hall of this very castle. In 1994 (Heisei 6), Nijō Castle was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has since become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Name: Former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle
Address: Nijōjō-cho 541, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Official/Related Website URL: http://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/
2. Higashi Otemon Gate
The “Higashi Otemon Gate” is Nijō Castle’s main entrance, located in the southeastern part of the castle facing Horikawa Street. This grand gate is designated as an Important Cultural Property, and it's thrilling to think that many historical figures passed through this very gate.
Today, this is the gate used by tourists to enter and exit the castle. After purchasing your admission ticket, let’s head in!
3. Karamon Gate
Just past the Higashi Otemon Gate, slightly to the left, is the “Karamon Gate,” a gabled, four-legged gate that perfectly embodies the word “gorgeous.” It features Chinese-style curved gables on both the front and back.
Nijō Castle’s Karamon Gate is one of the “Three Great Karamon Gates of Momoyama” along with those of Nishi Hongan-ji and Daitoku-ji. Be sure to take note of the splendidly colorful carvings of cranes, butterflies, tigers, dragons, and more.
4. Ninomaru Palace
Passing through the Karamon Gate, you’ll reach the National Treasure “Ninomaru Palace.” The Ninomaru Palace is laid out in a sequence that continues from the entrance “Kurumayose” (carriage porch) to the back left.
It features numerous rooms and highlights such as the Tozamurai, Shikidai, Great Hall, Black Drawing Room, and White Drawing Room, offering a strong sense of historical ambiance. Let’s explore the must-see parts of the Ninomaru Palace as we move from the carriage porch inward.
◆ Tozamurai (Retainer’s Room)
The building to the back left of the Kurumayose is the “Tozamurai.”
This was the waiting room for visitors to the castle and was also known as the “Room of the Tiger” due to the tiger paintings on the sliding doors. This is where Tokugawa Ieyasu met with Toyotomi Hideyori.
◆ Shikidai (Reception Room)
The next building after the Tozamurai is the “Shikidai,” which is the modest structure in the center of the image. It comprises the Room of the Senior Councilors and the Shikidai Room, where councilors met directly with visitors and acted as intermediaries to the shogun.
◆ Great Hall
Following the Shikidai is the “Great Hall.” The Great Hall consists of the First Room to the Fourth Room, and the Chōdai Room, and was used for official audiences between the shogun and visitors.
On October 14, 1867, Tokugawa Yoshinobu announced the restoration of imperial rule (Taisei Hōkan) in the upper tier “First Room” and lower tier “Second Room” of the Great Hall. Many of you may have seen this scene—when the Edo Shogunate returned power to the imperial court—in historical dramas or films. Although it may feel smaller than expected, it is undoubtedly the main highlight of the historically significant Ninomaru Palace.
Be sure not to miss the barrier paintings by Kanō Tan’yū and the carved transoms! Each piece is quite impressive, so take your time and enjoy them thoroughly.
◆ Corridors of Ninomaru Palace
Aside from the rooms, there are other notable features in Ninomaru Palace. One of them is the “corridors.” These corridors aren’t just wide passageways—they are “Nightingale Floors,” which produce chirping sounds like kyu, kyu, kyu when walked upon.
This was a clever security feature so that the sound would alert guards if someone was sneaking in. When visiting Ninomaru Palace, pay close attention to the sounds of the floor beneath your feet.
◆ Black Drawing Room (Kuroshoin)
Past the Sago Palm Room following the Great Hall is the “Black Drawing Room.”
The Black Drawing Room was used for audiences with daimyō who had close ties to the shogun, such as relatives and fudai lords, as well as court nobles. Though not as grand as the Great Hall, the Black Drawing Room is still a stately structure. Beyond it lies the “White Drawing Room (Shiroshoin),” where the shogun spent his daily life.
5. Ninomaru Garden
The garden south of Ninomaru Palace is the “Ninomaru Garden,” known as one of the masterpieces of Kobori Enshū. It is a shoin-style stroll garden with a pond, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. The garden was designed primarily to be viewed from the Great Hall and the Black Drawing Room. Traces also remain that show consideration for the view from the south, anticipating the visit of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.
With islands and waterfalls set in the pond, the Ninomaru Garden is full of variety and charm. In spring, it is bustling with tourists enjoying the blooming cherry blossoms.
6. Honmaru Palace and Honmaru Garden
The western half of Nijō Castle contains the Honmaru, surrounded by the inner moat. The “Honmaru Palace,” designated as an Important Cultural Property, is a rare three-story building for its time. The Honmaru Palace has both a west and east bridge, with the Honmaru Yaguramon Gate located on the east side.
The “Honmaru Garden” stretching south of the palace is an elegant garden with many curves, creating a graceful atmosphere. It is a turf-style garden with artificial hills, created by order of Emperor Meiji. The original garden from the time of the castle’s construction was lost in the Great Fire of 1788, so its original form is unknown. At the southeast corner, the remains of the stone foundation of the castle tower can still be seen.
7. Seiryū-en Garden
Located north of the Ninomaru Palace, “Seiryū-en” is a Japanese-Western fusion garden created in 1965 (Showa 40). It features famous stones from across Japan, along with landscaping stones and building materials relocated from the residence of Suminokura Ryōi. The eastern side is a Western-style lawn garden, while the western side is a traditional Japanese stroll garden with a pond.
Inside Seiryū-en, “Waraku-an” is used for tea ceremonies and also serves as a rest area for tourists. “Kōuntei,” which has a calm and refined atmosphere, is normally not open to the public but can be reserved for limited weddings.
8. Southeast and Southwest Watchtowers
The “Southeast Watchtower” is a lookout tower at the southern corner of the Higashi Otemon Gate. It stands out along Horikawa Street and often appears in TV broadcasts, so many people may have seen it before. The “Southwest Watchtower” is on the southern side of the West Gate and is nearly identical in shape to the Southeast Watchtower.
Facing the outer moat, these corner towers played an important role in the security of Nijō Castle. Having escaped destruction in the Great Fire of Tenmei, both the Southeast and Southwest Watchtowers are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
9. [Recommended Events] Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival and Nijō Castle Festival
Among the many attractive events held throughout the year at Nijō Castle—including summer and winter special openings and “Kyoto Tanabata”—the most popular are the “Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” and the “Nijō Castle Festival.”
◆ Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
The Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival is held every spring. With around 300 cherry trees spanning 50 varieties—ranging from early to late bloomers like Kanhi-zakura, Somei Yoshino, and Shidare-zakura—you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing for nearly a whole month. During the festival period, tea ceremonies for viewing the blossoms are also held in Seiryū-en.
Another highlight: admission and nighttime viewing fees are free if you wear traditional Japanese attire! During the nighttime events, not only the cherry blossoms but also historical structures like the Karamon Gate are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
◆ Nijō Castle Festival
The Nijō Castle Festival is held every fall. During the special nighttime opening, the Ninomaru Palace transforms into a vivid art space with light and music. With a variety of events such as major tea gatherings hosted by the Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Yabunouchi schools, this autumn festival is also highly recommended.
◎ Summary
The nearest station is “Nijōjō-mae” on the Tozai Subway Line. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to “Karasuma Oike” and transfer to the Tozai Line. City buses stop at “Nijōjō-mae.” If you show a one-day subway ticket or a one- or two-day subway/bus pass, you’ll receive a ¥100 discount on admission.
Nijō Castle is generally open from 8:45 to 16:00. In summer, it may open earlier from 8:00. The castle is periodically closed for preservation and maintenance of cultural properties, and Ninomaru Palace is often closed on Tuesdays, so be sure to check the official website before your visit. Although Kyoto has many tourist destinations, Nijō Castle—with its convenient access and abundant sights—is a must-see spot.