Nijyojyo Castle was built by "Shogun" TOKUGAWA Ieyasu in 1602. Ieyasu defeated ISHIDA Mitunari, retainer of Hideyoshi, in 1600 and he practically started to govern Japan. The purpose of Nijyo Castle was to prepare his residence in Kyoto when he came from Edo (curent Tokyo).

Around 20,000 to 30,000 castles and forts were in Japan during the Muromachi Age and the Azuchi and Momoyama Age. During the Edo Age, all feudal clans had their own castles and the number of castles in Japan was around 250 to 300. But, all the castles were deserted at the beginning of the Meiji Age and many ruins of castles lost their buildings.

Currently, only main buildings remain of twelve ruins of castles, and five of them are designated as national treasures of Japan. In additon, only four ruins of castles retain their palace buildings. Nijyo Castle is one of the four castles and is the only castle in which the palace building is designated as a national treasure of Japan.

A moat entirely surrounds Nijyo Castle. Two corner towers remain at the Southeast and Southwest corners of Nijyo Castle.

Passing through the East Main Gate, "Higashi Ote Mon" gate, you will see "Karamon" Gate on your left.
"Karamon" Gate is said to have been built in 1626. The gate has very gorgeous decorations and is designated as important cultural properties of Japan.

Passing through "Karamon" Gate, you will be in front the palace named "Ninomaru Goten". The palace is the original building and designated as a national treasure of Japan. The palace building was the historical stage when Edo Bakufu, which is the name of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu's heredity government, started and at the end of Edo Bakufu.

In 1603, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu officially received the assignment of ”Shogun" by the Emperor. This ceremony was held at "Ninomaru Goten". With this assignment, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu started his government, "Edo Bakufu".

Also in 1868, TOKUGAWA Yoshinobu, the 15th "Shogun", gathered senior retainers of feudal clans at "Ninomaru Goten". At this conference, TOKUGAWA Yoshinobu declared that he would return the assignment of "Shogun" to the emperor.

Ninomaru Palace of Nijyo Castle is also well-known for "Uguisu floor".
"Uguisu" means a nightingale in Japanese. "Uguisu floor" is a Japanese method of laying a wooden hallway floor. Planking of hallway floor was specially sprung to emit creaking noises when someone walked on it. This noise sounds like singing of a nightingale.

Ninomaru Garden is located to the west of Ninomaru Palace.

This garden was originally made by KOBORI Enshu, who was well-known as an expert in garden making at the beginning of the Edo Age. The garden is one of the typical traditional Japanese gardens with a pond in the center.

In late autumn, the leaves of ginkgo trees in ruins of Nijyo Castle change their color.

This view was very beautiful and many tourists enjoyed winter in Kyoto.

"Kita Ote Mon", the North Main Gate, is also an original building. "Kita Ote Mon" gate is designated as important cultural properties of Japan, the same as "Higashi Ote Mon" Gate and two Corner Towers.

How to get there
It is a ten minute walk from Nijyo Station on the JR Sanin Line and the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line. If you take a bus from Kyoto Station, take route #9, #50 and #101. Get off at Nijyojyo-Mae Bus stop. It will take 20 to 30 minutes from Kyoto Station to Nijyo-Mae Bus stop.

Official English Website: http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/bunshi/
nijojo/english/index.html

Other Historical Sites near by:
Gosho (Former Imperial Palace)
Kawaramachi Area
Nishi-Hongwanji Temple